Box Score MADISON, N.J. (Aug. 29, 2014) – The Drew University men's soccer team set a strong tone for the 2014 season with a 1-0 shutout of SUNY Geneseo in the first round of the 31^st Annual Fall Festival on Friday evening.
 
Senior midfielder John Nogiewich scored the decisive lone goal of the contest in the 74^th minute, while the Ranger defense and senior goalkeeper Michael Reyes held strong to highlight the first win of the season with a clean sheet.
 
"It's big being under the lights in front of the fans at home," Nogiewich said. "It wasn't the prettiest win, but it's great to get back out here. It's been a long preseason and we're looking forward to really getting into this season."
 
The pivotal goal came after almost 75 minutes of scoreless soccer. Sophomore defender Ian Pavlak played a long ball into a streaking Nogiewich, who created some space. As the Knights' goalkeeper came out to challenge, the senior captain gave the ball a flick into the right side of the net.
 
"It was one of the first times we got some possession and knocked the ball around," Nogiewich said. "Pavlak played a great ball in and I was able to outwork my man. I got a touch on it and was lucky enough to put it in. It was the right place at the right time, a flick was the only shot I had."
 
Reyes' handiwork in net preserved the victory. The defense was on their game, but Geneseo managed to fire six shots on goal, all of which were turned away by Reyes.
 
With 1:47 left in the first half, the Knights forwards proved to be formidable and rained down two point blank shots. Reyes knocked the first shot down and his momentum sent him crashing into the turf. Within seconds, the goalkeeper was back on his feet and struck down another shot for one of his teammates to clear the ball away.
 
"Without Reyes, my goal is pointless," Nogiewich said. "He had two saves and a great play all in one sequence. It could have easily gone the other way, but that's why we like having him in the pipes. He keeps us alive."
 
The first half between the two teams was very physical and a strong defensive outing between them both. Shots were almost even, with a slight edge for the Knights with 10 to the Rangers' nine.
 
With back and forth attacks by both teams, the Blue & Green came just inches from breaking the scoreless game. At 13:46 left in the half, a corner kick sent the ball into the center of the box, where senior defender Michael Pezzuti's header floated just over the right corner of the cross bar.
 
Geneseo immediately countered the Rangers' effort, but the defense tightened up and for the next seven minutes, the Rangers had a barrage of offensive opportunities. Closing out the half, Drew's tenacious defense, led by Reyes, thwarted all of Geneseo's advances to keep the game scoreless.
 
Drew returns to go for the tournament crown on Saturday when they meet Kean University at 5:00 p.m. at Ranger Stadium. Susquehanna University topped Kean, 1-0, in the first game of Fall Fest, and will face Geneseo at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.