For the third straight game, Drew men's soccer went home with a share of the spoils following a 0-0 draw. The Rangers knotted a tense, physical encounter with the visiting William Paterson Pioneers after 120 minutes of soccer could not produce a victor. With the draw, the Pioneers do claim the 2009 Drew Fall Festival title on goal differential. Drew's Jeff Rogers made five saves as he ran his 2009 scoreless streak to 330 minutes. Unfortunately for Drew, Dan Peragallo was equal to the task with three saves including a fine diving effort to deny Adrian Kawuba of a goal. Drew (0-0-3) returns to action on Friday at the Manhattanville Tournament.
Jonathan Donado had the first semi-chance of the game on a free kick from a dangerous position, but his attempt was easily saved by Jeff Rogers in goal. John Jabar made a great tackle in the 16th minute to prevent Ambrogion Pipitone a chance to get through before Drew got going on the offensive end.
In the 27th, Curtis Fornarotto blazed high of the target from a laid-off free kick for Drew. Donado unleashed one from distance that Rogers did well to get behind a minute later. Mario Walker's flashed header from Phillip Mabeka's corner looked promising, but the Pioneers' Dan Peragallo had it covered in the final chance of the first half.
Peragallo was well positioned again midway through the second half to stop Adrian Kawuba's attempt from just outside the 18 as the Rangers grew in stature on the offensive end. Jesse Puzio had the next chance as he got onto the end of a long ball, but from a tight angle could only flash it across the net.
Peragallo made an incredible save with 25 minutes left to keep the Rangers out again. Kawuba hit a terrific free kick from 25 yards out that looked destined for the top corner, but the Pioneer keeper made it all the way across the line to push it out the back. In the 83rd, Costa's shot slid just wide from 20 yards out after some good work from Greenberg on the wing.
The end of regulation and the first overtime period each ended without scoring, but plenty of intesity and physical play. In the second overtime, Paterson had the best chance, but Steve DeMatteo's crushed half-volley sailed just high of the bar off a Pioneer corner kick.
On the bright side, Drew's defense played another outstanding game. They held Julian Valerio, a first-team All-Region attacker, without a shot on goal and kept the Pioneers to just five shots on target, all handled well by Rogers. The back four of Brendan Michael, Marc Chiarello, John Jabar and Curtis Fornarotto all contributed on the offensive end when not building an iron gate in front of the Ranger goal. Chiarello's service from right back was dangerous all night and Michael nearly set up the winner with a charge forward from the left in overtime. Both Jabar and Fornarotto made countless key interventions in the center of defense.
Peragallo's fine save against Kawuba and two clean sheets helped him earn Fall Fest Defensive MVP honors while Valerio's two-goal game against Staten Island on Saturday earned him the Offensive MVP honors.
For the first time in Drew's history the Rangers have recorded three consecutive 0-0 draws. The last time the Rangers were shutout in three consecutive games was in 2006, but the last time Drew failed to score for 330 minutes was over a five game stretch in 1978.
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Soccer Game Summary (Final)
The Automated ScoreBook For Soccer
William Patterson vs Drew Rangers (Sep 06, 2009 at Madison, NJ)
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William Patterson (2-0-1) vs. Drew Rangers (0-0-3)
Date: Sep 06, 2009 Attendance: 100
Weather: breezy
Goals by period 1 2 OT O2 Tot
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William Patterson... 0 0 0 0 - 0
Drew Rangers........ 0 0 0 0 - 0
SCORING SUMMARY:
Shots: William Patterson 13, Drew Rangers 12
Saves: William Patterson 3 (Dan Peragallo 3), Drew Rangers 5 (Jeff
Rogers 5)
