By Tara Cangialosi
The Fordham Men’s Soccer team is still looking for its first win of the 2015 season.
Saturday’s contest at Lafayette College ended in a frustrating 0-0 tie, where the Rams, again, could not connect in the final third.
Rain soaked the field and players as the game got underway, prompting fast-paced play at Oaks Stadium.
Fordham started a similar lineup in its first two matches with only a slight change. Senior captain Ryan Cupolo moved from his position at center back into the center midfield. Sophomore Matthew Lewis and graduate student Lars Zimmerman moved into Cupolo’s vacated spot, with junior Andy Hickey and sophomore Chris Bazzini on the flanks.
The Rams started the game on the right foot, controlling the majority of play in the first half. The team outshot the Cougars 5 to 1, but Lafayette’s keeper Brad Seeber made three clutch saves in a row. Both Fordham freshman Janos Loebe and junior Ole Sandess had shots on net that were blocked by the sophomore goalie.
In the 24th minute, the Rams almost grabbed the lead on a header from redshirt senior Andres Penfold. Streaking down the field, Penfold got his head on the ball and directed it into the back of the net. Moments later, however, the goal was taken back, as Penfold was ruled offsides by the official.
Following the break at halftime, play became extremely physical between the two sides.
Though he only recently returned to the field, Hickey slide tackled Lafayette’s Eric West, earning him a yellow card.
Dangerously, West retaliated by kicking Hickey while he was on the ground. The referee issued an immediate red card, sending West to the bench and leaving the Cougars down a man.
A mere five minutes later, Hickey argued a call and was given a second yellow card, evening the game at 10 men per side.
Following the ejections, neither side generated many opportunities offensively, and the game went into overtime. The same occurred in the extra periods, as both sides remained defensively sound and offensively quiet.
The only notable action in extra time occurred with 1:13 left in the second overtime period. Fordham’s freshman goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu was issued a red card, and was replaced by fellow freshman Dan Miklos.
“As soon as we get more in sync (and) finish in the final third, I think we will be where we need to be,” Cupolo said of the performance.
Both Hickey and Nuhu were required to sit out for the Rams’ next game against Army West Point on Sept. 15. Though the game held plenty of exciting moments, the final score was 1-1 after two additional periods.
The first half was full of action on both sides. Early on, Janos Loebe took a through ball down the left side for a breakaway. Cutting in, he slapped a shot on net but it was saved by Army West Point’s keeper.
Fordham continued to maintain a lot of the possession, but had lulls in intensity. The need to be consistent has been a struggle for the Rams this season, as stressed by both Coach McElderry and Cupolo.
In the 28th minute, Janos Loebe again intercepted in the ball in the middle on Army’s end. With his left foot, he sent it wide to his brother, Jannik Loebe. The older Loebe brother then crossed the ball into the center, where Cupolo was waiting. With his right foot, he placed a strong pass into the back of the net, putting the Rams ahead 1-0.
During the final five minutes, Army West Point had its best scoring opportunity of the half. A wing player took the ball down the left side and managed to get behind Miklos in net. Luckily for the Rams, Zimmerman was back and saved the shot from inside the 18-yard line.
Army came out strong in the second half, pressuring Fordham’s defense into its own zone. The Rams held strong, and did not let up any goals at first.
Although Fordham picked up the intensity and lasted almost the entirety of the game, Army West Point finally broke through in the 82nd minute. The Black Knights sent a corner kick into the center of Fordham’s 18. Off a corner kick, Tommy Jaeger touched it to his teammate Shaban Abousaud, who headed it past Miklos for the 1-1 tie.
The score would remain the same until the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime. The most exciting moment came five minutes into the first overtime. Janos Loebe nearly bent a corner kick into the top right portion of the net, but the ball knocked off the cross bar and post, and the rest of the Rams could not finish it.
The game ending in a tie was a misrepresentation of Fordham’s efforts and late intensity. However, the team’s pressure in the final third needed to be more consistent throughout the match, and they needed to finish scoring opportunities.
The tie brings Fordham’s record to 0-3-2 on the season, while Army is now 1-3-1. The Rams will next be in action on Sept. 19, as they travel to face the Stags in Fairfield at 7 p.m.
