Bobby Martinez – Sports Writer
NEW HAVEN — As temperatures dropped lower and lower by the minute, both teams intensity picked up from beginning to end but the end result was a tie for the Men’s soccer team despite two sudden deaths.
“We had chances to score,” said Owls goalkeeper Stephen Sasso, “but we couldn’t finish those plays which was the reason for the tie.”
The Owls started the game attacking on both sides of the ball. Defense in the first half was their strength due to the fact points were not happening for either team. Assumption College also had a hard time trying to break through the Owls defense for points.
For the first half of the game it was a back and forth fight for both teams. Neither team’s offense had an advantage. Sasso recorded seven saves in a game that needed more than two halves to determine a winner.
Sasso said he was proud of the way his teammates spoke to each other throughout the game even when frustration began to show.
“Communication was key,” said Sasso, “the back four, captain and I played a huge role in communication with each other and I think that part of our game helped us out a lot.”
With the first half ending up in a tie, the Owls came out in the second half looking like a team that was fully charged playing sharper defense and also attacking much more. Owls head coach Tom Lang said at halftime he told his team to keep up the good work and take advantage of Assumptions mistakes.
“We just wanted to keep doing what was successful in the first half,” said Lang. “We wanted to keep finding little pockets of space in between their defensive lines and get the ball moving. They stepped up and closed us up in the seconds half but we created some chances but we got to be better in the final third of the field.”
Throughout the second half both teams did become much more aggressive as far defense in which was both of their strengths in the game. Assumption shot more goal attempts then the Owls in the second half 7-6 but didn’t manage to score a point.
With ten seconds left on the game clock, Assumption’s Glen LiBassi managed to squeeze in a shot attempt to only be saved by Sasso that could’ve won the game for Assumption. Sasso said looking back at the game there are a few things his team could’ve done better to be able to win the game.
“One major thing we could’ve changed is finishing off the game when we had chances to do so.,” said Sasso. “We will practice more and get better on closing out games like these.”
Once regulation expired and both teams were dead even, the Owls huddled up and spoke about finishing up the game and scoring any chance given said forward Daquan King.
“Coach told the team,” said King, “keep up the good work and take advantage of any open chance to score possible.”
The game ended in a tie leaving the Owls with a record of 1-1-1. King attempted five goals for the Owls, but just like every player on each team, goals were not falling for either team.
King said overall his team played exceptionally well but at the same time there were times in the game that they could’ve scored more than three points.
“I was happy in the way we played on the field even though we didn’t get a win,” said King. “in my opinion I think we could’ve score at least 4-5 goals and we should’ve beaten Assumption.”