 "Photo: Brent Doscher")
In a game that played like a chess match for most of the day, the UNH Wildcats saved their biggest move for the last play of the day.
That big play allowed the Wildcats to pick up a crucial three points and move their way back toward the top of the America East table. The 1-0 overtime victory over the Great Danes moved UNH to 8-4-2 in the season and 3-2-0 in conference play.
From the opening whistle, both teams were locked in a tactical struggle that only a true soccer fan would appreciate. Each player was fighting an individual battle with his counterpart and throughout regulation there were few advantages taken. There were even fewer scoring chances created.
Senior keeper Brian Levey kept the clean sheet for the Wildcats on a relatively quiet day for the goalie. He did come up big on the one occasion when an exceptional save was needed. A Great Dane striker found himself alone on the left flank and unleashed a rocket half volley that was headed for the top corner. Levey leapt and extended his 6-foot-5-inch body to deny the shot.
Freshman Chris Banks had the best chance for UNH. After receiving a pass from sophomore Scott Rowling, he broke in uncontested on the Albany keeper. Banks, especially after his recent goal scoring form, more often than not would finish off this chance, but was denied by a charging keeper. Other than this one play, the usually influential Banks was held quiet for most of the day.
Rowling was the real standout on this day. He showed his ability as a real midfield catalyst. His work ethic was through the roof as well. The midfielder never stopped running, was a part of several effective plays, and was also helpful in defense.
When regulation time ended 0-0, the two teams were hardly mirror images of one another. Albany could be heard bickering amongst themselves while the hometown Wildcats had a positive and optimistic demeanor.
"We knew that the longer we stayed in the game, the better chance we had," Coach Rob Thompson said. "We just had to stay on them and wear them down."
This difference in attitude foreshadowed the end of the game. UNH dominated possession and kept the pressure on Albany, who was just fighting to stay alive. Their bell was about to toll when senior back Pedro Braz set up for one of his signature long throw-ins. Braz's throw went deep into the Great Danes' penalty box and the applied pressure forced some panic out of their backline in the form of a handball.
"We practice long throws with Pedro Braz all the time in practice and it always puts pressure on the defense," sophomore defender Richard Weinrebe said. "It was definitely his throw that caused their mistake."
The call, which brought fits of anger out of the Albany bench, was for a penalty shot. There was not much debate on who would take it for the Wildcats.
"Richard [Weinrebe] is our number-one guy," coach Thompson said. "We are always confident when he steps up to take a penalty."
Weinrebe displayed plenty of confidence by approaching the ball and slotting it coolly into the lower left corner of the net. The goal set the Wildcats bench into a frenzy as they stormed the field to celebrate the victory.
"I was just really excited stepping up there," Weinrebe said. "I have been waiting to take one all year and I hit it well."
The win was the third in a row for the 'Cats. The winning streak came at the perfect time for UNH as they lost two straight conference road games beforehand.
The 'Cats then looked to extend their win streak Wednesday in Worcester, Mass. against Holy Cross, and they did so in emphatic fashion.
The Wildcats dominated Holy Cross 5-1, scoring their first three goals in a 12-minute span. Goal scorers on the day were Ross Fishbain, Scott Rowling, Chris Banks, Kyle Urso, and Jon Bergqvist. Picking up assists on the day were Mike McKee, Derek Bragg, Geoff Sanford, and Bryan Stewart.
The Wildcats next home game is on Oct. 18.
Be the first to comment on this article!