Potsdam, NY – The top teams in the Liberty League slugged it out for the top spot on Saturday afternoon, but both the Clarkson University Men's Soccer team and Rensselaer came up empty in goals as the two teams battled to a 0-0 double overtime tie.
The Golden Knights slipped into a tie for third-place with their third tie in conference play, moving to 8-4-3 overall and 4-1-3 in the Liberty League. The Engineers, ranked fourth in the latest United Soccer Coaches national poll, remained in first place at 13-1-2 and 5-0-2.
The first half saw each team with chances on corner kicks, but little came in the way of legitimate opportunities until late in the first half. Rensselaer's
Ben Kogan went high on Clarkson goalkeeper Ian Roeloffs in the 33rd minute, but Roeloffs was able to tip the ball out of harm's way. In the 38th minute, RPI was at it again as
Josh Gaudiano got in close only to see Roeloffs dive low and knock the ball out of bounds. Clarkson recorded both of its two shots on goal in the final five minutes of the half. In a flurry of action, Cam Emde-Gerdine's shot was ticked away by an RPI defender, and the ensuing cross almost resulted in a highlight-reel goal had a bicycle kick attempt connected. The try was missed and Devon Bahr's shot immediately following the bike effort. In the final minute, Sebastian Dietachmair's shot also was picked up cleanly, keeping the game scoreless through 45 minutes.
RPI finished the opening 45 minutes with a 7-4 edge in shots and a 7-3 lead in corners, but the two teams each had just two shots on goal.
Clarkson controlled the play overall in the second half, but not much showed up in the way of offense. Clarkson outshot RPI 6-2 in the second half and had two corner kick chances, but neither team put a shot on goal in the 45-minute stretch. The best chance for either team came midway through the half, when Aidan Subra's shot in the 63rd minute went just wide.
Subra also had the best chance in overtime for either team, but his shot in the first overtime from about 12 yards out went high and wide. The final ticks of the second overtime saw Clarkson take a shot at glory with a late corner kick, but the cross went through the box without a redirection towards or away from the goal as time expired.
The two teams finished tied in shots at 12-12, though RPI had one more chance at the frame (3-2). The Engineers also held an 8-6 edge in corner kicks. Ian Roeloffs made three saves for his seventh shutout of the year and Luke Brezek made one save for his third shutout of 2019.
