GLASSBORO, NJ – Christian McGillen's goal in the 81st minute broke a scoreless tie, and nationally second-ranked Rowan defeated the nationally fourth-ranked Cortland men's soccer team by a 1-0 score on Wednesday evening. Rowan improved to 5-0-0, while Cortland suffers its first defeat and falls to 3-1-0.
Josh Carroll (Port Jefferson Station/Consewogue) and
Jake Hutter (Smithtown/Smithtown West) each had one shot on goal for the Red Dragons.
Jordan Ott (Fort Worth, TX/Southwest Christian) made seven saves in goal.
McGillen's goal came on his third shot on target of the game, and Johnny Troiano provided an assist. C.J. Norton stopped both shots that he faced for the shutout in goal for the Profs.
Ott made a strong save going to the ground in the 12th minute to deny Christian McGillen on an early chance. Minutes later, a header by Davide Caputo flew wide left of the post.
The Red Dragons had a great opportunity in the 38th minute when
Flavio Di Santo (Rome, Italy/Ecampus) sent a deep ball over the top of the Rowan defense, but the assistant referee signaled for offsides to stop the promising attack.
Rowan held a 4-0 edge in shots on goal in the first half, but the game remained scoreless through halftime.
In the 57th minute, a header by Greg Ferreira off a free kick for Rowan went just right of the post.
Cortland recorded its first shot on target in the 59th minute, as Hutter's shot towards the bottom left corner was saved by Norton.
In the 64th minute, Carroll dragged a shot towards the bottom right corner of the net that was turned behind for a corner kick by Norton. The Profs were able to clear the danger on the ensuing corner kick to keep the game scoreless.
Ott made a leaping save on a shot by McGillen from the edge of the 18-yard box in the 77th minute, just turning a shot over the crossbar. Minutes later, he made a sprawling save to his left and divert a shot by Troiano wide of the post for a corner.
Rowan took the lead in the 81st minute when McGillen deposited the rebound after an initial shot by Troiano was blocked by a Cortland defender.
The Profs were able to maintain possession and keep the Red Dragons from registering a shot attempt in the final minutes to secure the shutout.
