CALDWELL, N.J. - A penalty kick by junior Facundo Zalazar (Buenos Aires City, Argentina/San Agustin) 15 seconds into the second overtime period gave the Caldwell College men's soccer team a 3-2 victory in a non-conference game Tuesday afternoon at Caldwell Field. The thrilling finish improves the Cougars' overall record to 3-1, while the Lions fall to 0-5.
With the game tied at 2-2 and following a scoreless 10-minute overtime period, junior midfielder Donald Kafer (Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown) got in behind the defense right off the opening kickoff for the second extra session. Kafer was taken down in the penalty area by Molloy goalkeeper Justin Corke, and the Cougars were awarded a penalty kick just 15 seconds after the start of the period. Zalazar took full advantage of the opportunity, blasting a shot into the left side of the goal to give Caldwell the victory. The win came in Caldwell's second straight double-overtime game, following Saturday's 3-2 loss at Holy Family University.
Molloy took the lead in the 12th minute with a goal by Craig Calderone off an assist from Daniel Patino. The Cougars pulled even in the 21st minute, when a pass from sophomore Kristopher Bistre (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter's) sprung sophomore Mosiah Whyte (Coram, NY/Newfield) in behind the defense. Whyte placed a shot over Corke and into the goal for his sixth tally of the season. Exactly six minutes later, Bistre found Whyte down the right side, and Whyte beat Corke from a sharp angle to put Caldwell ahead 2-1. He now has three two-goal games in four games this season.
The lead didn't last long, as Jeff Patino finished a pass from Jovani Ramos in the 38th minute to tie the game at 2-2. Neither team scored in the second half or the first overtime period, setting up Zalazar's heroics. The Lions' chances suffered a blow in the 88th minute, when Calderone received his second yellow of the game and was ejected, forcing his team to play with 10 players the rest of the contest.
Junior goalkeeper Brian Agostini (N. Caldwell, NJ/West Essex) played a strong game in goal, recording four saves in goal for Caldwell. Corke ended up with two saves in the loss.
Next up for Caldwell is another non-conference game at the Univeristy of Bridgeport on Thursday, Sept. 15. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. in Bridgeport, Conn.
CC - 2 0 0 1 - 3
MC - 2 0 0 0 - 2
Scoring Summary: 1. MC - Craig Calderone 2 (Daniel Patino), 11:57. 2. CC - Mosiah Whyte 6 (Kristopher Bistre), 20:19. 3. CC - Whyte 7 (Bistre), 26:19. 4. MC - Jeff Patino 1 (Jovani Ramos), 37:21. 5. CC - Facundo Zalazar 1 (penalty kick), 100:15.
Shots: CC - 12; MC - 21
Saves: CC - Brian Agostini 4; MC - Justin Corke 2
Corners: CC - 2; MC - 2
Fouls: CC - 14; MC - 16
Offsides: CC - 2; MC - 5
Cautions: CC - Whyte (51:03), Elhusseini (88:00); MC - Calderone (42:38), Amendolare (66:58), Ramos (85:29), Bench (94:01), Corke (100:15)
Ejections: CC - none; MC - Calderone (second yellow - 88:00)
