JOLIET, Ill.---- Returning to the field for the first time since Oct. 9, the University of St. Francis men's soccer team finished in a 2-2 draw with Holy Cross College in a non-conference match on Sunday afternoon at ATI Field at Joliet Memorial Stadium.
Holy Cross (2-0-1) found itself with a 1-0 lead after a 21st-minute goal from defenseman Victor Sellu. The tally was one of only two shots allowed by the St. Francis defense in the first 45 minutes.
Ten minutes later, the Saints scored the equalizer off the foot of newcomer Zakhar Shkidchenko (JR/Kiev, Ukraine) to send the two teams into the break tied at one goal apiece.
After missing the net on their first three shot attempts of the second half, the Saints were finally able to capitalize. After a blocked shot attempt by USF's defense, forward Anthony Marmolejo (SO/Plainfield, Ill.) was able to find the back of the net in the 68th minute on a Saints counter-attack. The goal marked Marmolejo's second tally of the season and gave the Saints a 2-1 lead.
USF, however, could not hang on to that advantage. With just 13 minutes remaining in the contest, Holy Cross was able to tie the game on a header from defensemen Cliff Brown, which eventually forced overtime.
In overtime, both teams had several opportunities to score the golden goal. Goalkeeper Carlos Ferrer Coto (SR/La Fresneda Spain) came up big near the end of the first overtime and saved a shot from Holy Cross' Gabe Nyenka. The Saints' defense also had to defend three corner kicks in the closing seconds of the first overtime.
Neither team was able to gain an advantage in the second overtime. The lone shot attempt came off the foot of Marmolejo in the final seconds of the contest. The deep shot attempt missed high and ended the game.
Both Coto and Holy Cross' Victor Villareal finished the day with four saves each, despite the Saints outshooting their guests, 18-11.
Up next for the Saints is the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener against Olivet Nazarene University this coming Saturday (Feb. 27) at ATI Field. The match is scheduled for a 3:30 pm start.
