UTICA, N.Y. - The Husson University men's soccer team visited SUNY Poly on Saturday afternoon at Wildcat Field, for their second North Atlantic Conference game of the season. The Eagles were left to rue a poor first-half showing and missed several key chances to win the game while down a man. It took until the 60th minute for the Eagles to be playing at a level we have come to expect this season. However, the Eagles showed their character for the second time this season while dominating the proceedings having a one-man disadvantage during both overtime periods. 

With the draw, both teams earned their first NAC draw of the season as the Eagles moved to 4-2-2 on the season and 1-0-1 in the conference while SUNY Poly is now 5-1-1 and 2-0-1 in conference play.

The Eagles opening goal would come in the 11th minute when Ben Powell's distribution found the surging Pablo Maroto, who played a neat one-two with Jordi Cabau before racing to the bar line and providing an inviting cross for Arni Hreidarsson whose effort cannoned off both posts before Alejandro Mora was in the right place at the right time to tap in from close range at the far post.

The advantage wouldn't last long, as Poly would be able to build from the back and clip a neat through ball into  Husson's 18 yard box from the left side, which was finished off with a nice strike across the onrushing Powell and into the far corner. Less than three minutes later the Eagles conceded the lead to SUNY Poly on a lateral free-kick at the edge of the box which was converted with a powerful header from about six yards out.

Husson returned from half-time with an array of substitutions and a change of formation. The incoming players brought a willingness and desire that was missing from the first half. After a long period of possession, and an intense battle trying to break down Poly's defensive lines, Pedro Molina was unfortunate to pick up his second yellow card of the afternoon leaving the Eagles with ten men to see out the remainder of the contest. The one-man disadvantage was not enough to stop the Eagle's hunger, and with the game nearing close to conclusion, Fred Longo would capitalize on a break down the left flank, where he skipped into the box and was tripped up to earn the Eagles a penalty kick with seven minutes left to play. Mario Alvarez Salgado showed great composure to convert his spot-kick and grab the well-deserved equalizer for the Eagles. 

The remainder of regulation time was completely controlled by the Eagles in pursuit of a winning goal. Two overtime periods ensued with the Eagles again dominating the ball and flow of the game, creating the most dangerous chances in the game but were unable to find that elusive winner. SUNY Poly hung on through the end of overtime to take the draw.

Head coach Gavin Penny states: "There is an incredible amount of frustration in the locker room. We feel as though it is 2 points dropped rather than 1 gained. Based on our first-half performance which was not very good, we didn't deserve anything. However, with the changes we made and the changes and the change of system, we grew into the game. Undoubtedly, we were the best team for the remainder of the game, even after going down to 10 men. We like to make it difficult for ourselves, but I was happy with our second half and overtime performances. We will rue the chances we missed to get the win, but credit to Peterson and his team, they took their goals very well and hurt us before we could get ourselves going. While I felt our substitutes changed and saved the game for us, credit has to go to Fred Longo. He had been patient for opportunities to play but his performance when he came in changed the game. We cannot hold our heads because we have less than a day to go again."

It is a quick turnaround for the squad as they close out their New York trip on Sunday, September 26th when they visit a new conference opponent in Cazenovia with kickoff scheduled for 1:30 p.m.