CONCORDIA STORMS BACK TO TIE MEN’S SOCCER IN ECC BATTLE, 2-2

Box Score vs. Concordia (N.Y.) - October 18, 2008

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (Oct. 16, 2008) - Trailing 2-0 early into the first half, the Concordia College men's soccer squad responded with an unanswered goal in each period to come out with a 2-2 tie against Molloy College on Saturday at the Dean G. Skelos Sports Complex in Rockville Centre, N.Y. Senior forward Stefan Dimitrov (Bulgaria) scored both markers for the Clippers.

Dimitrov registered the tying goal in the 86th-minute when he found the back of the net on an unassisted effort from 12 yards out off a free kick. His first tally, which lowered the Concordia (5-6-3, 0-2-3 ECC) deficit to one, came on a cross from freshman midfielder Daniel Espinoza (New Rochelle, N.Y.). He headed a shot into the left corner of the goal for his team-best 19th goal of the year at the time.

For Molloy (7-5-2, 2-2-1 ECC), sophomore forward Emmanuel Gamez (Freeport, N.Y.) reached the scoreboard first when he punched a ball inside the left post for the opening tally of the match. Senior forward Nick D'Alessandro (West Hempstead, N.Y.) was tabbed with the assist, which marked his fourth assist of the season.

The same duo teamed up again for the second marker, but switched roles. This time, Gamez found D'Alessandro on the close left wing. He then kicked a shot into the right corner of the net. Gamez and D'Alessandro combined for four shots on the evening. Senior midfielder William Bell (Valley Stream, N.Y.) and junior forward John-Paul Hughes (Manchester, England) attempted two shots each.

Senior midfielders Michael Topel (Levittown, N.Y.) and junior midfielder Graeme Roderick (Liverpool, England) posted three shots apiece. For the Clippers, Dimitrov registered a game-high six shots - three of which were on goal. Junior midfielder Ulyses Salceda (Houston, Texas) and freshman midfielder Richard Heredia (Patchogue, N.Y.) had a trio of shots credited to their names. Espinoza added two shots for Concordia.

Lions' senior goalkeeper Ettore Morelli (North Bellmore, N.Y.) turned aside a game-high eight shots, while Clippers' freshman netminder Anthony McCarthy (Northport, N.Y.) made two saves. Molloy also held a 19-16 margin in shots and a 7-5 edge in corner kicks.

Head Coach Danny Longo and the Lions return to the field this Tuesday when they start up a two-game road swing in Sparkill, N.Y. at conference opponent St. Thomas Aquinas College. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.