ITHACA, N.Y. (October 25, 2008) – The No. 10 Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team fell 2-1 in overtime at Ithaca College on Saturday afternoon at Wood Field. The Bombers got a goal 9:15 into the first overtime period from Kurt Odenbach (Webster, N.Y.) to end the Ducks' 54-match conference unbeaten streak and take over the top spot in the Empire 8 standings. Stevens falls to 4-1-1 in the conference as Ithaca is now 4-0-2. The Stevens goal came from junior captain Todd Sheridan early in the second half to knot the game at 1-1.
The loss for the Ducks is their first in conference since October 19, 2002, when they lost at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, 5-2.
The game began with both teams clearly struggling to find any rhythm because of the driving rain, wet field, and strong winds in Ithaca, N.Y. Eventually, Stevens gained some momentum and maintained solid possession but could not find net.
Junior Terrence Johnson had a decent chance but could not get a good shot off in the 24th-minute of action, and Ithaca was able to counter down the left side. On the other end of the field, Jason Kaufman (Leverett, Mass.) led John Tarson deep into the box with a pass. Tarson was able to control and put in a shot from about 12-yards away to give the Bombers a 1-0 lead 25:04 into the contest.
Trailing 1-0, the Ducks picked up the intensity and had several nice runs at the net before the end of the first half but could not come away with a score. Ithaca ended the first stanza with a 6-4 edge in shots and a 4-2 advantage in corners.
Stevens (13-2-2 overall, 4-1-1 Empire 8) did a nice job early in the second as the ball was constantly in the Ithaca zone. Sheridan drew the Ducks even at 51:28 when he controlled after a corner and buried a gorgeous shot in the top right corner of the net. There was nothing Ithaca keeper Andy Wilhelm could do as the blast came from the top of the box. It was Sheridan's eighth goal of 2008.
The rest of regulation was fairly even as neither team could get many strong runs at the goal. The weather clearly had an effect on the Ducks as their speed, skilled ball work, and passing just was not possible because of the extreme rain and wind throughout the entire afternoon.
Late in the first overtime, Ithaca got a corner, put a shot on net that was stopped by Stevens keeper Zach Carr, but Odenbach was in the right spot to put in the rebound and give Ithaca (9-2-3 overall, 4-0-2 Empire 8) the win.
The Bombers ended the contest with a 12-9 edge in shots and a 7-4 lead in corners. They were also whistled for 15 fouls as the Ducks only got called for five. Carr made six saves in goal, and his counterpart Wilhelm was credited with four.
Ithaca now controls its own destiny in terms of seeding for the upcoming conference tournament. With a win or tie over Elmira next weekend, the Bombers will clinch the No. 1 seed. Stevens is in the tournament and will clinch at least the two with a win. The Ducks will take on Utica College next Saturday afternoon.
The Stevens-Utica tilt is slated for a 1 p.m. start in Hoboken, N.J. and will be broadcast live on www.Empire8.tv. The men's soccer class of 2009 will be honored during halftime of the game as it is the last regular-season home match for the Ducks.
