FREDERICKSBURG, VA – The #3 York College men's soccer team would play a lengthy 110 minutes on Saturday afternoon, managing a 0-0 draw with Capital Athletic Conference foe Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va. The tie moves the Spartans' 2009 record to 11-1-3 including a 4-0-2 mark in CAC play while the Eagles now stand at 10-4-1 and 5-0-1 in the conference.

The Spartans looked to get on the board early in the match as the Green and White ambushed the Eagle defense over the first half hour of play. York recorded the game's first eight shots, rattling off all eight of those attempts within the first 27:44. Mary Washington goalkeeper Emmett Rutkowski made four saves during that span to keep the potent Spartan offense off the board.

Mike O'Connell (Bowie, Md./Archbishop Spalding) almost knocked home an opening salvo in the game's 12th minute, during York's flurry of chances. However, the junior's header clanged off the crossbar allowing the match to remain scoreless.

Following the first 45, the Spartans would own a significant 10-4 lead in shots but were unable to capitalize on their numerous opportunities.

After the intermission, the Eagles nearly notched the game's first score as Duke Mensah-Abrampah rang York's crossbar in the 52nd minute of play.

Aside from Mensah-Abrampah's dangerous attempt, the squads would combine for seven more shots throughout the latter 45 but none found paydirt.

The 20 minutes of overtime proved the same as the first 90 as neither side could break through for the game-winner. York did have three corner kick opportunities in the second overtime but were unable to convert.

For the match, the Spartans held a 15-11 lead in shots while the hosts secured a 9-8 edge in corners.

Spartan senior netminder Ryan Hock (Brookeville, Md./Sherwood) captures the clean sheet as he made a pair of saves over his 110 minutes of work. Rutkowski stood tall in the Eagle goal, holding the Spartans at bay with seven stops.

This marks only the second time this season that an opponent has held the Spartans without a goal. Christopher Newport also did so back on October 3 in the Captains' 1-0 victory over York.

The Green and White will now set their collective sights on #11 John Hopkins – the squad which bounced York from last year's NCAA tournament courtesy of a penalty-kick shootout. The Spartans will travel to Baltimore, Md. on Wednesday, October 21, for a 7:00 pm under-the-lights non-conference tilt with the Blue Jays.

BOX SCORE

Mike Gill and the Spartan defense held Mary Washington scoreless in York's 0-0 draw with the Eagles on Saturday - photo courtesy of Zach Clabaugh