09/20/2008
Men's Soccer Battles Babson College to Scoreless Tie

WORCESTER, MASS. 09/10/08 - Clark University and Babson College battled to a double-overtime scoreless tie in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) men's soccer game played Saturday at Granger Field. It was the NEWMAC opener for both teams.

Clark moves to 5-1-2 overall and 0-0-1 in league play, while Babson, ranked ninth in New England by the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll, is 5-2-1 (0-0-1 NEWMAC).

The game was evenly matched as Babson held a slim 11-10 advantage in shots, 6-5 edge in saves, and 4-2 margin on corner kicks.

The first half featured a pair of strong scoring chances by each team. Chris Morris (Shoreline, Wash.) struck first for the Beavers. The junior midfielder's bid at the 18- rolled just wide of the far post at 18:05. Just under 10 minutes later, Clark defender Lucas Neustadt (Brooklyn, N.Y.) swiped the ball away from one of the Babson forward's in a flurry of action in front of the Clark goal to keep the game at a stalemate.

Clark's Baran Doenmez (Dublin, N.H.) broke in alone, but his close-range drive was stopped on a sliding save by freshman keeper Peter Crowley (Lexington, Mass.) at 33:09.

Clark outshot Babson, 4-3, in the first half.

A pair of failed attempts from Babson's Harrison Heller (Fort Wayne, Ind.) - a header that sailed wide at 66:56 and a drive stopped by Cougar goalie Peter Wise (Providence, R.I.) at 72:53 - were the visitors best opportunities to start the second half. Sandwiched between those two chances, was a shot from Adrian Blackadar (Warwick, R.I.) that drifted past the right post at 67:35 for Clark's prime opportunity.

Babson wasn't without chances in the extra period, outshooting the hosts, 2-0. Just over one minute into the overtime, Billy Nickerson's (Middleton, Mass.) drive 10-yards out was smothered by Wise.

Senior Mike Trobagis (Acton, Mass.) had the best chance of the day for the Cougars. Set up on the right side, Trobagis fired a shot towards the left post, where Crowley made a diving save to tip it out of the goal at 103:19 to preserve the tie.

Wise finished with five saves to record his fourth shutout of the year. Crowley stopped six shots for Babson.

Clark will host MIT next Saturday (2:30 p.m.). Babson will travel to Framingham State College on Wednesday (4 p.m.).