Bajrami Helps Men's Soccer Edge NYIT in 2OT, 3-2
Box Score
OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (Sept. 25,2010) - Playing in their third consecutive double overtime match, the C.W. Post men's soccer team finally broke through with a game-winner in extra time, as sophomore forward Betim Bajrami (Helsingborg, Sweden) gave the Pioneers the equalizer with just under three to play in regulation time, then came through right in the beginning of the second OT period for a 3-2 triumph over New York Institute of Technology on Saturday afternoon.
The game marked the ECC opener for the Pioneers, who improve to 2-4-1 (1-0 ECC), while NYIT slides to 1-5-1 and still looks for its first ECC win with a record of 0-2-1 in conference.
The Pioneers pressed hard towards NYIT's goal in the early minutes of play, and their persistence paid off in the 13th minute as Niclas Dahlin (Kungalv, Sweden) sent a cross that found the head of Joakim Ohlson (Lund, Sweden), who sent the ball into the back of the net for an early 1-0 lead.
But NYIT answered back in the 31st minute, as Maciek Serafin beat a Pioneer defender and sent a shot into the right side of the net past keeper Ed Shone (Liverpool, England).
The Bears took the lead in the contest just before the halftime break, as Matthew Didonna took a pass on a goal kick from goalkeeper Michael Doran that went over Shone's head, giving Didonna the easy shot on the open net for a 2-1 goal.
But the Pioneer relentlessly continue their attack on NYIT's defense, and despite holding just a one-shot edge (8-7) in the second half, were able to come through with the equalizer with just two minutes and 41 seconds remaining in the game as Ohlson sent a quick pass in front of the goal to Bajrami, who's shot sailed into the upper left corner to knot the score at two apiece.
After a scoreless first overtime period of play, in which C.W. Post managed the only shot, Bajrami wasted no time in handing the Pioneers the victory as he took on Doran one-on-one and beat the him with a shot to the left side for the game winning tally.
The Pioneers outshot the Bears 19-13 and held an 8-2 advantage in corner kick opportunities.
The game was also a very physical contest, with 23 fouls for NYIT and 18 for C.W. Post, including five yellow cards issued.
Shone played 63:18 in goal and allowed two goals, while freshman Marco Jorgensen (Copenhagen, Denmark) came on for the final 37:29 to earn the victory with three stops between the pipes. Doran turned away eight shots for the Bears.
The Pioneers have a quick turnaround as they travel on Tuesday, Sept. 28, to St. Anselm for a 4 p.m. non-conference match.