Men’s Soccer, Morrisville State Play To 2OT Draw

AURORA, N.Y. – Despite a game-tying goal in the first half from junior Alexander Essandoh (Accra, Ghana, Africa), the Wells College men's soccer team played to a 1-1 double-overtime draw with the reigning North Eastern Athletic Conference champion Mustangs of Morrisville State College Saturday afternoon at the South Athletic Field. With the tie, the Express remain without a defeat on the year (3-0-1), their best start in program history, while the Mustangs even their overall record at 1-1-1. The game was the very first conference game of the year for both squads.

Morrisville State began the scoring only 4:52 into the first half as Chernor Barrie forced home a corner kick near the right post to place the visitors up by a 1-0 margin in the early goings. Essandoh answered right back for the Express, chipping the ball over the outstretched Morrisville State keeper, Rob Larkin, for the game-tying goal. Junior Charles Naula (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) was credited with an assist on the play that developed at the top of the box.

Despite being outshot 30-to-10 by Morrisville State, Wells was certainly not without their chances to score the go-ahead goal. Senior Pat O'Callaghan (Selden, N.Y.) was allowed to take a penalty kick after a member of the Express was upended within the box. The captain tried to sneak a ball just inside the right post, but Larkin denied the shootout attempt – the ensuing rebound, however, spilled out to classmate Adam Sullivan (Ithaca, N.Y.) who fired a shot just wide near the left post.

The Mustangs held the 13-to-3 edge in corner kicks and out-shot Wells by an 18-to-4 margin in just the second half alone, but the Express backfield stood tall in support of goalkeeper C.J. Bayly (Waymart, Pa.), allowing zero goals in the second stanza. Bayly made nine saves on 10 shots, allowing only the first half goal to Barrie. Larkin turned aside three-of-four shots that he faced in 110 minutes of action.

The Express return to action Wednesday, Sept. 11 as they host the Pioneers of Utica College in a 5:00 p.m. game at the South Athletic Field. Stay up to date with the latest news directly from the Wells College athletic department by "liking" us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/WellsExpress) and subscribing to our Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/WellsExpress).