Skyhawks unleash 22 shots but can’t break through against Purple Knights

COLCHESTER, Vt. (October 26, 2010) – The Stonehill College men’s soccer team played to a scoreless draw in double overtime at Saint Michael’s College in a Northeast-10 Conference matchup on Tuesday.

Stonehill racked up 22 shots on the day – 14 in the first half – but put only nine on target and were kept off the board by Saint Michael’s goalkeeper Logan Kingman (New Bern, N.C./New Bern). Senior goalkeeper Brandon McFarlane (Norwich, Conn./Norwich Free Academy) held off the Purple Knights at the other end, stopping two shots in the Stonehill net.

Juniors Ross McWilliams (Kingston, R.I./South Kingstown) and Christopher Agan (Niskayuna, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy) led the Stonehill effort in the first half with a combined five shots on goal early in the match. McFarlane was also tested early, turning back a Saint Michael’s attempt in the second minute which would prove to be one of only two shots on target for the Purple Knights, who didn’t put a shot on goal during the final 50 minutes of play.

Kingman made one save early in the first overtime period to hold off the Skyhawks, who managed one more shot during extra time but were unable to convert before the clock wound down.

The tie keeps Stonehill alive in the NE-10 playoff chase as the Skyhawks seek their first postseason appearance since 1999, the year before the conference expanded to 14 members. Stonehill will qualify for postseason play with a win Friday at The College of Saint Rose, coupled with a loss or tie by Saint Michael’s, a loss or tie by New Haven, or two losses by Merrimack.

Stonehill’s (6-7-2, 4-6-2 NE-10) matchup with Saint Rose will mark their final regular-season contest of the fall, and will kick off Friday at 4 p.m.