Molloy University Athletics

Rockville Centre, N.Y. – A goal from graduate student Matt Star in the final minutes led the Molloy men's soccer team to a come from behind 1-1 draw against the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia Saturday afternoon at John A. Darcy Field. As a result, the Lions move to 4-2-5 overall and 2-0-3 in East Coast Conference play while the Firebirds sit at 4-5-4 overall and 0-3-2 in league play.
 
Prior to the contest, the program celebrated the members of their senior class: Benjamin Bern (Finance), Sam McConnell (Management), Yahel Caudillo Paramo (Management), Wilmer Flores (Finance), Jack Hynes (Finance), Eduardo Marroquin (Management), Steven Flores (Business Management), Diego Cadena (Biology), and Anthony Martinez (Sports Management).
 
How it Happened

• 3:02 into the contest, sophomore Jack Veletanga generated a scoring chance, but his shot was saved by UDC goalkeeper Lorenzo Herrera.
• UDC generated the contests next two chances with Martinez making a pair of saves I the eighth and 10^th minutes.
• Martinez was forced to make two more saves 23 seconds apart in the 16^th minute, keeping the game scoreless.
• The cardinal and white totaled three shots for the remainder of the first half, none of which were on target, while holding the Firebirds without another shot as the teams entered halftime scoreless.
• In the opening four minutes of the second stanza, Veletanga created space to open his right foot, but Herrera would deny him.
• The road team nearly cracked the scoreboard in the 52^nd minute after a shot from Marius Elmose hit the post.
• The Firebird's pressure paid off in the 60^th minute. Isaish Daniel fired a shot from straight away just outside the 18-yard box into the back of the net to give UDC a 1-0 lead.
• 20 minutes would go without either team collecting a shot on goal with the road team packing it inside their defensive formation to limit scoring opportunities.
• The Lions totaled three shots on goal between the 84^th and 87^th minute. Star had a shot denied before Veletanga had a pair of chances from point blank range saved by Herrera.
• Star capitalized in the 89^th minute, settling down a loose ball inside the 18-yard box and whipped it past Herrera to knot the contest at one.
• The home team nearly stole the victory in the final seconds. After a cross came in to the right wing, Veletanga headed it towards net, but the attempt would go high of the crossbar ending the contest in a 1-1 draw.

Top Performances

• Star netted his first goal of the season.
• Veletanga totaled a career-high nine shots and four shots on goal.
• In goal, Martinez collected four saves.

Up Next
Molloy heads to the road to start a three-game road trip Tuesday, October 13 as they travel to take on Southern Connecticut State. The contest is set to begin at 7:00 p.m.