Sparkill, N.Y. - Facing off for the first time since the East Coast Conference Tournament Final, the St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Soccer team played to a 1-1 draw with Molloy University on Saturday afternoon at Spartan Field.
STAC moves to 3-1-3 and 0-0-2 in the ECC on the season, while the visiting Lions run their record to 2-2-4 and 1-0-1 in conference play.
The teams took to the pitch for their regular season tilt with as much focus and intensity as when they met for the ECC crown back on November 13, 2021, with both sides playing tight defense in front of their respective keepers early on.
St. Thomas Aquinas struck for the match's first goal, in the 26th minute, as a Kevon Evans shot on Lions keeper Nick Conklu would be stopped. However, Conklu was unable to control the ball and Christian Ferlisi deposited a rebound opportunity to the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Molloy and STAC continued to battle for every inch of time and space on the field, with the hosts in maroon and gold maintaining its one goal margin through the remainder of the first half and deep into the second stanza.
The Lions tallied a late goal in the 85th minute to tie things up at 1-1, when a throw-in by Molloy hit a STAC defender and bounced to the wide open foot of Ryan Dobson, who sent a shot through Spartans keeper Tabor McDaniels and to the back of the net.
In the final five minutes of action, St Thomas Aquinas attempted to break the stalemate, firing two final shots, but time would run out on the contest, forcing a tie.
Inside the Box Score
- Christian Ferlisi tallied his second goal of the season in Saturday's match.
- Kevon Evans' assist now gives him 15 points on the year.
- Tabor McDaniels (T, 0-0-1) finished the afternoon with seven saves on eight shots faced.
- Molloy outshot St. Thomas Aquinas 15-9, while STAC took a 4-1 advantage on corners.
Up Next
St. Thomas Aquinas visits the College of Staten Island on Saturday, September 24, with kick-off scheduled for 2:00 p.m.