Hoboken, N.J. – The Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw with in-state rival The College of New Jersey Friday night in non-conference action.
The Ducks (1-1-3) received an 80th-minute goal from
Thomas Smith to secure the tie.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Goalkeeper
Sebastian Montoulieu was tested early, making a save in the eighth minute. The Lions' defense kept Stevens without a shot on target for over 35 minutes before
Omar Martinez tested the keeper in the 36th. Montoulieu's early stop stood as the only shot on goal for TCNJ in the opening half, as the teams entered the break scoreless.
The Lions struck first just 34 seconds into the second half. Chris Meder dribbled down the left side and slipped a cross into the box, where Matt Will redirected his first touch into the upper corner for a 1-0 advantage. TCNJ pressed for a second tally, but Montoulieu came up with back-to-back saves in the 55th and 56th minutes to keep the deficit at one.
Stevens pushed forward in search of the equalizer, with attempts from
Ryan O'Byrne and
Max Rokhsar missing the target. The breakthrough came with 10:40 remaining, when
Ethan Hagen collected a loose ball in the midfield and found Martinez on the right wing. Martinez took three touches before sending a cross into the box, where Smith rose above his defender and headed home the tying goal. The Ducks registered one final shot on frame in the closing minutes, but the teams ultimately shared the points.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Smith has scored game-tying goals in back-to-back matches, having also pulled Stevens even against Swarthmore on Sunday.
- Hagen, Smith, and Brian Babovic each played the full 90 minutes.
- Montoulieu finished with three saves, tying his second-highest total of the season.
UP NEXT
The Ducks hit the road for the first time this season on Wednesday, traveling to SUNY New Paltz for a 4 p.m. matchup with the Hawks.
