NEW PALTZ, N.Y. (September 4, 2010) – Senior Nolan Sandberg scored an overtime goal for the second time in as many games as the 15th-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team moved to 2-0 on the young season with a 1-0 victory over host SUNY New Paltz on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field in New Paltz, N.Y. Sandberg was able to put away a pass from junior Anthony Roden 3:59 into overtime on a play that began on a corner. Senior goalkeeper Zach Carr, who made seven saves on the day, notched the 40th shutout of his career in the Duck win.
The Ducks established a scoring opportunity in the fourth minute when freshman Stephen Dunbar ripped a shot at the Hawks' keeper, junior Thomas Viscardi (Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.), but the veteran was able to make a diving save, extinguishing the scoring chance.
The Hawks countered in the eighth minute when junior forward Jimmy Altadonna (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) fired a shot at the crossbar from the close right wing. Senior forward Dave Gardiner (Malta, N.Y.) collected the rebound and uncorked a shot on goal, but Carr came up with the stop.
New Paltz ended the first half with an 10-6 advantage in shots and a 3-2 edge in corners. The Hawks put 4-of-10 attempts on goal while two of the Ducks' six shots had to be saved by Viscardi.
The Hawks almost struck in the 56th minute when Altadonna found sophomore forward Harrison Lane (Glenmont, N.Y.), who shot wide left from inside the box.
From that point on, Stevens slowly gained control and began to put pressure on the Hawks, winning the field position battle and generating several quality chances. Like their win at NYU, Stevens dominated the early moments of overtime before securing the victory in the 94th minute when Sandberg found the back of the net thanks to a nice pass from Roden.
New Paltz finished with a 20-14 margin in shots and an 8-6 advantage in corner kicks.
Carr's 40 shutouts is a Stevens record. The senior and the rest of the Ducks' defense have not allowed goal in 2010 and has allowed just one score in the last 10 games dating back to October 21, 2009.
Stevens will return to the pitch on Friday night in the Stevens College Cup. The Ducks will take on William Paterson at 7 p.m. from the De Baun Athletic Complex in Hoboken, N.J. in a game that will be webcast live at www.PennAtlantic.com. North Carolina Wesleyan College and Arcadia University will play in the first game of the tournament at 4 p.m.
