UMass men draw with Siena

October 3, 2010
AMHERST, Mass. - - The UMass men's soccer team played its fourth-straight overtime game after rallying from a 2-0 deficit to tie Siena, 2-2, on Saturday afternoon at Rudd Field. The Minutemen are now 1-3-5 following their final match before beginning Atlantic 10 play next Friday, while the Saints sit at 3-5-1 overall.

UMass, which nearly doubled up Siena in shots in the first half, threatened to take a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute. Junior Bryant Craft's (Worcester, Mass./Saint Peter-Marian) diving header was cleared off the line by a Saints' defender, however, keeping the match scoreless.

Siena then capitalized on its next charge up the field, climbing on top, 1-0. Emery Welshman sent a service into the box that was headed home over netminder Chris Piekos (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wachusett Reg./Rivier) by Matt Hemsley at 34:45, his second of the season.

The Saints' only attempt at goal in the remainder of the period was kept out of the net by the Minutemen with just 29 seconds to play until the intermission.

Early in the second half, Siena pushed its advantage to 2-0. Joshua Vlasich sent a ball over the top that was corralled by Joey Tavernese and shot low past Piekos from the right-hand side of goal.

UMass continued to pressure and eventually halved its deficit in the 70th minute. Craft converted a penalty kick for the Minutemen, recording his fourth goal of the season.

Less than five minutes later, UMass came up with the equalizer. Senior Ben Arikian (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip/Berkshire Prep) sent a quick touch pass over to Stuart Amick (West Lafayette, Ind./William Henry Harrison) on the wing, who dribbled towards goal and fired a shot into the top right corner at 73:21.

Each side managed one shot apiece in the extra periods, but neither were on target.

The Minutemen totaled 21 shots on the afternoon to the Saints' 12, while Siena led in corner kicks, 5-4. Fouls were 14-10, against UMass.

Piekos logged four saves for the Minutemen and Phil Chabot turned aside three shots on net for the Saints.

UMass continues its eight-game home stand on Friday, Oct. 8, when the squad will play host to Atlantic 10 foe Xavier at 3 p.m. on Rudd Field.
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