Box Score For Immediate Release – 9/24/16 - #056
WildCats ODAC Opener Ends In Draw
LYNCHBURG, VA – The Randolph College men's soccer team began Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play on Saturday against Virginia Wesleyan College. Despite several close chances for both sides, the very physical contest ended in a 0-0 draw.
Both teams proved to be very aggressive right from the first kick. The 'Cats earned two corners and registered a shot on the second within the first three minutes of the game. Shortly after that, Erick Cortez-Martinez was called upon to make his first stop of the game. After the teams traded chances, Ricky Perrault got his head on a ball that almost went home, but Cortez-Martinez was there for the save.
The WildCats responded by earning four corners soon after, but could not capitalize on them despite producing positive opportunities. Blake Heatherly had an attempt on goal but it was saved by Cortez-Martinez's counterpart, Jay Fox.
However, the save of the night came at 25:17. Andrew Duenke got behind the Randolph defense on the far side and was one on one with Cortez-Martinez. The WildCat number one made the impressive stop and forced it into careening off the crossbar, keeping the score at 0-0. Both teams registered attempts in the final minutes of the half, but could not muster a goal.
It was all 'Cats to start the second, as the team won several corners and sent ensuing headers near the goal. But much like the first half, the ball would not find its way home. In the 63rd minute, the Marlins began to have some of the momentum come their way. The visitors registered four shots, with Cortez-Martinez making another stop, and one header going closely over the crossbar.
Randolph had the next opportunity in the half but it missed the frame. Finally in the closing minute of regulation, VWC put three shots near the vicinity and Cortez-Martinez made another key stop to preserve the score. Troy Jurney had one final attempt but the game would go into overtime.
The extra periods saw each team get a couple of looks but the best came in the closing seconds. Jurney made a great run at the ball and collided with Fox while both were going for the ball. The ball bounced to Joe Thames who was five yards outside of the 18-yard box and ripped a shot towards the open net. However, it went high as the clock was rolling to zero.
The statistics of the game was remarkably even. Randolph had two more total shots (19-17) and one more on goal (6-5). Fouls were even close, as the Marlins (2-3-2 overall, 0-0-1 ODAC) held the advantage 17-14. The only true advantage came in corners, as the WildCats earned 11 to the three for the visitors.
Cortez-Martinez stopped all six shots for his second-career shutout.
Randolph (5-1-2, 0-0-1) hits the road for its next two games. The first will be a non-league game at #12 Christopher Newport University (6-2) on Wednesday night. The game begins at 7 p.m.
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