University of Albany Men's Soccer Rallies From Behind Three Times in 4-3 Double-Overtime Loss to Holy Cross - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - Jon Werth scored two goals, including the game-winning tally, to lift Holy Cross to a 4-3 double-overtime victory over UAlbany in non-conference men's soccer action on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at Varsity Field. Capped by Christoffer Nisser's first career marker with under five minutes left in regulation, the Great Danes rallied to tie the match three times before Werth punched in the golden goal midway through the second extra session.

UAlbany controlled play for the duration of the overtime periods by outshooting Holy Cross, 5-3, and holding a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks. However, Werth propelled the Crusaders to the sudden victory when he potted in a rebound following a shot taken from the left corner by Jordan Michael in the 104th minute.

Holy Cross (3-4-1), which never trailed in the match, got on the board first when Werth sent a direct kick from 30 yards away to the lower left corner of the net in the 18th minute. Werth appeared to double the Crusader lead in the 28th minute after he blasted in Michael's cross on an indirect kick taken from just outside the box, but the senior midfielder was whistled for being offside.

Following a quiet first half, the teams traded five goals in a 30-minute span during the second frame to extend the match beyond regulation time. Bo Jelovac tied the match up at 1-1 in the 57th minute by unleashing a laser from outside of the box past goalkeeper Evan Polanik. After the Crusaders went ahead by netting another goal on a direct kick, Jelovac helped knot the score up again at 2-2 by centering a short cross into the six-yard box that was finished by Ian Peach.

Kevin O'Connell scored in the 76th minute to give Holy Cross a 3-2 lead, but the Great Danes did not give up and were able to get the equalizer they needed to force overtime. Nisser, a freshman defender, took advantage of his direct kick in the 86th minute by bending a shot around a wall of Crusader defenders that landed in the right corner of the net. Despite a valiant effort to come from behind on three occasions, the Great Danes were dealt their third straight loss by surrendering a fourth goal nearly 18 minutes later.

UAlbany outshot Holy Cross, 23-17, and held a commanding 10-2 advantage in corner kicks. Adrian Foncette made four saves on 17 opportunities for the Great Danes, while Polanik earned the victory by turning away eight of the 23 shots he faced for the Crusaders.

UAlbany (4-5-0) opens America East Conference play when it visits Hartford on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information