By Akin Taylor | November 6, 2022
Photo Credit: UAlbany Athletics
The University at Albany men's soccer team has earned a three-seed in the 2022 America East Tournament after tying #8 Vermont scorelessly on the final day of the regular season. The result brought the Great Danes to 4-7-6 overall while the visiting Catamounts moved to 13-2-2.
After beating #21 New Hampshire 2-1 on Tuesday, Vermont moved up to #8 in the latest United Soccer Coaches national poll, a new high for the program. This marked a bounce back for the Catamounts, who fell to #20 after a loss against UMBC two weeks ago.
Almost immediately after the 17th minute, UAlbany nearly took the lead. Giuliano Lucca launched a header from the far post after Elias Ehlin served it from the right wing. Despite no one being there, Domenic Baumann broke toward the ball and ripped a one-touch shot just wide.
About eight minutes later Vermont attempted from the top right corner of the box, when Mujtaba Mirhasas ripped a shot toward the middle of the goal. It took Max Murray a headshot to get a head on the Great Danes' shot inside the six until UAlbany goalie Shafique Wilson could track it. Despite Wilson's kick save, Murray's ball ricocheted back to him. Murray's shot fell into Wilson's hands, ending the Catamounts' opportunity.
Despite a solid effort from Vermont's Yaniv Bazini in the 58th minute, Wilson kept his clean sheet. Through Wilson's left, Banini's low shot cleared the Great Danes' wall. Defending his left, Wilson deflected the ball out of bounds on the far sideline, away from the Great Danes' ball.
Five yellow cards were distributed between the two teams in the second half, and 17 fouls were called. With time running out, the game became tighter, but neither team broke through the other's defense.
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