WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Albertus Magnus College men's soccer team battled the Blue Jays of the University of Saint Joseph (CT) to a scoreless draw in the clash between the two Connecticut programs in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) on Wednesday afternoon.

David Lucero (East Haven, Conn.) started in net for the Falcons and went a perfect 8-for-8 in save opportunities to preserve the draw for AMC. Lucero's eight saves were a season-high for the freshman keeper.

THE BASICS
FINAL: Albertus Magnus 0 | USJ-CT 0
RECORDS: Albertus Magnus (4-1-3, 2-0-2 GNAC) | USJ (4-1-1, 2-0-2 GNAC)
BOX SCORE

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Blue Jays controlled the action for the first 15 minutes of regulation, firing off six shots and two corner kicks, but could not put the go-ahead score on the board against Falcons' keeper Lucero.
• AMC began to pick up some offensive momentum in the 18th minute, as Johan Stagnaro (East Hartford, Conn.) fired a shot off the crossbar, and Yahya Kardad (Wallingford, Conn.) followed moments later with a deflected header.
• The teams continued battling for the remainder of the half, with Albertus' Roger Baldwin (New Haven, Conn.) tallied three shots. Still, neither team could take the lead, and the teams transitioned into the halftime break, deadlocked at 0-0.
• The Blue Jays came out hot to start the second half, firing six shots and a corner kick over the first 13 minutes. However, Lucero remained stout in the net, denying the Blue Jays the score.
• Saint Joseph continued to control the ball for the remainder of the match but could not break through against Lucero, who held the Blue Jays in check to secure a 0-0 draw.

BETWEEN THE PIPES
Albertus - David Lucero (T, 4-1-2): 8 Shots on Goal | 0 Goals-Against | 8 Saves
USJ - Matthew Goebel (T, 3-0-1): 1 Shot on Goal | 0 Goals-Against | 1 Save

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Blue Jays held the advantage in shots by a 27-5 margin.
• Albertus recorded eight saves to USJ's one.
• USJ out-cornered the Falcons 7-0.
• The blue-and-white was whistled for 17 fouls, while the Blue Jays were called eight.

NOTEWORTHY

• Albertus is 2-3-1 all-time against USJ.
• Lucero's eight saves in tonight's contest give him 38 for the season, which is third-best in the conference, while his .905 save percentage is second-best in the GNAC.
• Baldwin recorded his fifth multi-shot match of the season.

UP NEXT
The Falcons return to the pitch on Saturday, Sept. 24, for a road GNAC showdown against the Emmanuel (Mass.) College Saints. The opening kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. on Roberto Clemente Field in Boston, Mass.