Box Score LEXINGTON, VA – The Randolph College men's soccer team traveled across the mountain to take on the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) leading team in Washington and Lee University Wednesday, and came back with a valuable point in the standings after playing 110 minutes of scoreless soccer in league action from Watt Field.
The hosting Generals (9-3-2/6-1-2 ODAC), who were ranked ninth in the South Atlantic region coming in, controlled the play early on taking the game's first six shots. None though seemed to be very threatening though, with only one getting put on net which was easily saved by junior Carter Smith (Greensboro, NC/Grimsley). Randolph's first shot came in the 31st minute, as Jacob Hood (New Market, MD/Linganore) ripped a shot that W&L keeper Albert Civatarese had to make a save on.
Minutes late, ODAC leading score Zach Colby had a chance off-angle from 10 yards away but missed high and wide. In the 39th minute, Randolph's best chance of the first half came when Joe Uzdavinis (Carrollton, VA/Smithfield) turned inside and ripped a shot from the 18 but his chance was saved. Junior John Vecchietti (Annandale, VA/W.T. Woodson) also had a chance from 25 yards away moments later, but his attempt glanced off the crossbar and out.
After intermission, the WildCats (6-5-3/4-3-2 ODAC) seemed to have the run of play, doing well to possess and keep the ball away from the Generals. In a defensive minded struggle, Smith and his back line did well to hold Washington and Lee to just two second half shots. With only seconds to go in the second half, Joe Skaja (Yorktown, VA/Grafton) ran onto a feed in the box but after a collision with the keeper, a foul went on Skaja and the chance was gone for Randolph.
In overtime, Randolph had five chances and a pair of great opportunities in second session but couldn't finish. The tie though was very important for the WildCats, as they now sit with 14 points, just one point out of the fourth spot in the ODAC standings and two out of third-place.
Smith stopped the only shot that was put on goal from Washington and Lee, while Civitarese made six saves in net. Off Randolph's 13 shots, six were put on frame as compared to only one of the 15 from the Generals. Randolph trailed in the corner kicks by only one at 5-4, though both teams committed 15 fouls. The shutout for Smith was his first of the year.
The WildCats will now turn its attention to two huge ODAC games coming up, starting with Shenandoah University this Saturday in WildCat Stadium at 7 p.m. for Homecoming 2012. Randolph finishes conference action Tuesday at home against Randolph-Macon College at 7 p.m.
--RANDOLPH--
