WATERVILLE, Maine – The Saint Joseph's College (0-0-1) men's soccer team kicked off the 2016 season with a 1-1 stalemate versus Thomas College (0-0-1) on Thursday evening.
THE LEAD
After a scoreless first half, the in state rivals swapped scores early in the second stanza with barely eight minutes separating the goals. Saint Joseph's freshman Cody Elliott (Gorham, Maine) opened the scoring with his first NCAA marker, off a Brett Mattos (Mahopac, N.Y.) pass, in the 54th minute, but the lead proved to be short-lived, as Thomas senior London Steede-Jackson (Hamilton Parish, Bermuda) netted an unassisted tally, tying the game at 1-1, in the 62nd minute.
There were several near scores during extra play, as Steede-Jackson had a chance to win the game late in the first overtime frame, but SJC sophomore netminder Zack Moody (Steep Falls, Maine) came up with a huge save as time expired. In the second extra period, Elliott and freshman JoJo Strobino (Clifton, N.J.) had scoring opportunities with good looks, but both players' attempts sailed off target.
THE KEEPERS
Moody, making his second career start, stopped four of the five shots he faced in an impressive effort. Thomas keeper Joakim Sternas (Stockholm, Sweden) also played well and made three saves in the deadlock.
TEAM STATS
Thomas held a 16-15 edge in shots and a decided 9-2 corner kicks advantage on the evening. Both teams were hit with 14 fouls and five yellow cards were issued in the physical contest.
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING
With tonight's result, Saint Joseph's is now 13-9-4 all-time versus Thomas College – a team that has advanced to the NCAA Tournament in four of the last five seasons…the Monks have not defeated the Terriers since 2008 (9/16) when the Royal Blue bested Thomas by a 2-1 score at home…Saint Joseph's is now 8-13-6 all-time in season openers…the Monks also opened the 2015 campaign with a 1-1 tie exactly one year ago at Westerlea Way Field.
NEXT!
Saint Joseph's returns to action Sunday when the Monks host University of New England in the team's 2016 home opener. Kick off is slated for 12:00 PM.
Thomas hosts UMass.-Boston in a 5:00 PM start on Monday.
#GOMONKS
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Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 474-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.