New Haven, Conn. – Junior midfielder Alex Zapata (Hamden, Conn.) scored the golden goal with less than one minute remaining in the first overtime period to lead the Albertus Magnus men's soccer team past visiting Regis, 2-1, on Saturday afternoon at Celentano Field. The Falcons improve to 2-0 with the come-from-behind victory, while the Pride move to 1-1 on the year with the loss.
Junior forward Alexis Garcia-Romero (West Haven, Conn.) set up Zapata's second marker of the game with a perfect through ball to the cutting Zapata who finished his shot from just inside the box on the left side into the lower right-hand corner of the net.
With the game knotted at one late in regulation, both teams picked up the intensity and each had point-blank scoring opportunities. In the 86th minute, Albertus sophomore midfielder Justyn Broderick (Orange, Conn.) fired a shot from the top of the box that Regis goalkeeper Manny Santiago deflected over the net for a nice diving save. A minute later, Falcons junior midfielder Matt Mueller (Cheshire, Conn.) rocketed a shot from 10 yards outside the box that Santiago once again turned away with a diving effort.
Following an offside call on the hosts, Regis broke out and raced down the field. Albertus Magnus goalkeeper Griffin Volta (Orange, Conn.) came out aggressively to get a 50-50 ball and the Pride chipped the ball past him. With an open net, Regis' Derek Triana took a shot that Albertus sophomore defender Alex Perez (Hamden, Conn.) stopped from crossing the goal line with his chest.
The first eight minutes of overtime saw little action, with the Falcons having the best scoring chance as Mueller once again rocketed a shot that Santiago dove and stopped.
The visitors opened the scoring late in the first half courtesy of a header from Mike Panagiotakos. Amandino Ferreira sent a cross to the far goal post and Panagiotakos' header beat a falling Volta.
In the 63rd minute, Zapata netted his 15th career tally to tie the contest at one. Garcia-Romero played a cross to the center of the box and Zapata headed it past a sprawling Santiago.
In goal, Volta made two saves for the Falcons to earn his second victory of the fall. On the opposite end, Santiago stopped 14 shots in a losing effort.
The Falcons held a 23-8 advantage in shots and took 11 corners to five for the Pride.
The men's soccer team returns to action on Wednesday, September 9, on the road against Westfield State.
