Box Score YORK, Pa. – After compiling its highest single-game shot total of the season, the York College men's soccer team was held scoreless for the third time this season and recorded its third tie of the season in 0-0 draw with Susquehanna on Saturday afternoon at Graham Field.
The Spartans (1-1-3) threw everything but kitchen sink at the goal as they out-shot the Crusaders (3-2-2) 20-7 and desperately tried to avoid being shutout.
York had its chances in the first half, but none was better than the opportunity it had just seconds before the halftime whistle when sophomore Matt Freibaum (Mt. Airy, Md./Linganore) received a long pass near the top of the box. Freibaum proceeded to beat the defenders and set up for an open look on goal, but ripped a shot high over the right corner.
In the second half the Spartans really turned up the offensive pressure and out-shot Susquehanna by a margin of 8-2.
The first legitimate chance of the second stanza for York came in the 54th minute on a free kick. Senior Yawo Baah (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) put a solid strike on the ball and forced the goalkeeper to mishandle the shot, but in the end no damage was done.
The best chance of regulation and arguably of the game came in the 84th minute when junior Ryan Donahue (York, Pa./York Suburban) received a pass on the right side, dribbled back into the middle and unleashed a laser off his left boot. Had it not been for a diving save by Crusader goalkeeper Augusto Lima, York may have walked away with a 1-0 victory.
The drama did not end with Donahue's near goal, with just under four minutes to play in regulation junior Brendan Saberton (Wilmington, Del./Salesianum) sent a beautiful cross into the box from the right side which found the swinging foot of freshman Brett LaBonte (Frederick, Md./Urbana) who popped his shot over the goal form point blank range.
LaBonte, who supplied offensive pressure all game long, had another quality chance and an opportunity to walk away the hero in the 106th minute as he sent another shot wide of the goal from point blank range following a throw in.
York put forth a relentless offensive effort in addition to a stingy defensive outing as it limited Susquehanna to just seven total shots with only two of those shots going on goal.
York will have to shake off the memories of this disappointing tie and get ready for a non-conference tilt at home with Johns Hopkins on Wednesday. Game time is slated for 4:00 p.m.
Chris Saberton photo Courtesy of Joe Rodgers
