Rochester, N.Y.- An early goal for the Clarkson University Men's Soccer team provided a vital score, Saturday afternoon against nationally-ranked University of Rochester.
The match resulted in the third 1-1 tie of the year for Clarkson as the team moves to 4-0-3 on the year. The Golden Knights open Liberty League play, September 28th, hosting RIT.
Going against a theme this season, Clarkson opened the scoring early in the 5th minute of the match on the game's first shot. A turnaround volley, rocketed off the foot of Jay Jezioro into the top center of the goal giving the Knights an early advantage with the assist going to Remi Ufheil.
The Yellow Jackets piled on pressure soon after registering two shots in the 7th minute less than twenty seconds apart. Goalkeeper Carter Kladstrup was up to the task keeping the advantage intact for the Knights.
Kladstrup was called into action again in the 33rd minute, corralling an attempt in the center of the net as the hosts pushed for an equalizer. Clarkson would manage to register one more shot on goal in the opening 45, this time off of defender Josh Baraka, whose shot on goal was met by the hands of the Rochester keeper.
The #21 ranked Yellow Jackets continued to push for the equalizer into the second half, connecting with the crossbar on one attempt as the Clarkson defense worked to keep them at bay. Rochester would finally find the leveler in the 56th minute as Johnny Makula got on the end of a header pass, slotting his shot into the bottom right corner.
Rochester continued to push for the go-ahead goal, generating the vast majority of chances throughout the remainder of the contest and kept Kladstrup busy in the Clarkson goal. However, the Golden Knight defense, which has not allowed more than one goal the entire season, continued to hold strong, seeing out the 1-1 tie.
Kladstrup was credited with an impressive seven saves in goal for the Golden Knights while Santino Lupica-Tondo registered just one for the Yellow Jackets. Rochester held the advantage in shots (21-2) and shots on goal (8-2) with both of Clarkson's shots coming in the first half.
