BABSON PARK, Mass. (November 15, 2008) – Junior midfielder/forward Todd Sheridan scored with 1:55 remaining in regulation as the Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team claimed a thrilling 1-0 win over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute during the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship on Saturday. The game was hosted by Babson College in Babson Park, Mass. Sheridan's goal sends the Ducks (17-2-2) into the second round of the tournament where they will face Rhode Island College on Sunday at 1 p.m. RIC advanced with a 3-1 decision in penalty kicks over Babson following a scoreless tie through two overtimes earlier in the day on Saturday.
Rensselaer had the best scoring bid of the evenly-played first half which saw Stevens hold a slim 6-5 margin in shots. Red Hawks sophomore Benjamin Poser (Scotts Valley, Calif.) got a good look from the top of the box at 20:28, but Stevens sophomore goalie Zach Carr made a terrific save diving to his right to keep RPI off the board.
Stevens would enjoy the first strong chance of the second half, but senior Jeremy Lippel's breakaway shot from the left side was denied by a leaping save from Alex Penny (Northpor, N.Y.) at 47:07. The Ducks then survived a scare in the 55th minute when RPI junior Jabel Prom (Sandy Spring, Md.) hit a bending ball from 20 yards out that sailed high - just missing the upper left corner.
With daylight fading, Stevens finally broke the scoreless deadlock at 88:05, as senior Craig Moquin hit a long cross from the right side. Sheridan then headed the ball from the top of the box over Penny's outstretched hands and into the upper left corner, giving the Ducks a 1-0 advantage.
RPI refused to go quietly, as the Red Hawks enjoyed their two best chances of the game in the final two minutes. The first came when first-year Andrew Tambasco (Clifton Park, N.Y.) had his shot blocked after a free kick from just outside the box and senior Scott Chuda (Charlestown, N.H.) blasted the rebound just over the net with 1:30 remaining. Then, with only 46 seconds left to play, Carr came out of net to bat a cross out of the box, but his deflection caromed directly to RPI junior Sean Fleury (Princeton, Mass.). The midfielder's ensuing shot attempt made it past the Stevens keeper, but senior back Jason Nachman made a game-saving play when he blocked the bid just in front of the goal line. The Red Hawks would then clear the ball back to midfield, and RPI would not have another chance as Stevens held on for the thrilling 1-0 victory.
Carr turned in a fantastic performance in net for Stevens, finishing with six saves. Penny also played well in a valiant effort for RPI, stopping two shots. Each team recorded 12 total shots in the contest, while Stevens held a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.
On the deciding play, senior midfielder Craig Moquin gained control of the ball about 22 yards out on the right side. After dribbling to the corner of the 18-yard box, Moquin sent a cross to Sheridan right in front of the six-yard marker. Sheridan headed the ball past sophomore goalkeeper Alex Penny (Northport, N.Y.) and into the top of the cage to send the Ducks to the regional finals.
Both teams attempted 12 shots in the game. Stevens held a 5-3 edge in corner kicks. Sophomore goalkeeper Zach Carr made six saves for the Ducks in picking up his 11th shutout of the season. Penny made two saves for RPI, which finished the season at 13-6-1.
Special thanks to Sports Information Chris Buck at Babson College for a great deal of assistance with the story.
