Albany, N.Y: After taking on not only the top team in the conference, but a nationally ranked Franklin Pierce, the Chargers regrouped and headed down to New York to take on the Golden Knights of Saint Rose. Last year, New Haven welcomed Saint Rose to Kathy Zolad Stadium, where they left the night 3-3 tied. Looking to make up for that tie, the Chargers looked for a win on the road, but would find themselves ending the night with another draw against the Golden Knights. Sophomore Augustus McGiff (Brookhaven, N.Y./Bellport) leading the Chargers on the offensive, scoring both goals to force the draw.
Looking at the statistics, both teams having already faced some of the same opponents in the conference, it seemed as if New Haven would have the upper hand coming in to today. However, they were faced with adversity from Saint Rose right away, giving the Chargers a run for their money if they wanted to find the back of the net.
Saint Rose would take the first lead of the game in the within eight minutes of play, as they would find that goal on a run up the field and a shot to opposite post. The Chargers would not find the equalizer until 12 minutes later, evening up the score to 1-1. Augustus McGiff (Brookhaven, N.Y./Bellport) would be fouled outside of the box, giving the Chargers an advantage in field position for a free kick. McGiff over the ball, would send a straight shot to the close corner, past the diving Golden Knight goalkeeper.
Both teams looking for yet another goal, to give them momentum going into the halftime break, as the game was equally back and forth for a majority of the first forty-five. It seemed as if the game would go to half time with a score of 1-1, but Saint Rose would find a very late goal with 3 seconds remaining in the half to give them their second lead of the night.
Despite being behind, the Chargers only trailed by one shot going into half, with four different New Haven players finding their own opportunities towards the net.
The second half was played more in the middle third of the field, unlike the first half where there was a lot of action in each team's box. Augustus McGiff (Brookhaven, N.Y./Bellport) would find his second tying goal for the Chargers once again, in the 63rd minute of play. Duplicated the movements from his first goal, a foul outside of the box would lead to a free kick. McGiff over the ball would once again take the straight shot, this time to the upper right corner to ruin the golden Knight's lead.
As time continued to wind down, neither team would be able to net the go-ahead goal. Gianluca Cerosimo (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Escuela Arentina Modelo) taking control in the backfield, denying all attempts by Saint Rose, including some open shots that were very hard to save.
The blue and gold would end the night with 10 shots, four of those making their way to goal. Augusts McGiff leading the offensive for the Chargers, scoring the only two goals for the team, followed by Ryan Liam with two shots of his own. Gianluca Cerosimo (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Escuela Arentina Modelo) would end the night with four saves, all of those coming in the second half.
With that draw, New Haven now moves to 4-3-2 overall and 2-2-2 in conference play. Up next, the Chargers will take on one more conference opponent to seclude their seven consecutive conference games as they hit the road and head to Southern New Hampshire University to take on the Penmen. That game is scheduled for Saturday, October 7th at 4:00 p.m.
