GREENSBURG, Pa. (Oct. 12) – Senior goalkeeper
Joseph Valeriano (Southampton, N.J./Seneca) matched his career high of nine saves while recording a shutout on Saturday afternoon, as the California University of Pennsylvania men's soccer team played to a 0-0 double-overtime tie at Seton Hill in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action.
With the tie, the Vulcans stand at 2-4-3 this season and are tied for second place in the divisional standings midway through league play with six points behind a 1-1-3 league mark. Meanwhile, the Griffins sit at 5-4-1 overall and hold a 1-1-1 divisional record.
Seton Hill recorded four shots, including two on target, in a span of just over seven minutes early in the first half. The Griffins tallied a pair of corner kicks in the 21st minute before Valeriano made a save on a shot at the 21:11-mark. Seton Hill again collected back-to-back corner kicks in the 31st minute before having its shot attempt go wide of the net. Valeriano made a pair of saves in the closing minutes of the first half to keep the game scoreless at the break.
The Vulcans applied pressure early in the second half, tallying three shots in nearly a three-minute span. Midway through the half, Cal U again made another seize on net with four shots and two corner kicks in just over a four-minute stretch. Valeriano registered three saves in the closing minutes of regulation, as the teams were issued a combined three yellow cards.
Seton Hill maintained possession for most of the first overtime period, attempting the only two shots in the period and tallying three corner kicks. In the final period, the Vulcans nearly claimed the victory in the 107th minute when a header by senior
Marcos Garcia, Jr. (New Oxford, Pa./New Oxford) hit the crossbar. Less than one minute later, the Griffins missed wide on their final shot attempt of the game.
Valeriano recorded nine saves for the second-straight match while posting the second shutout of his career.
The Griffins finished with a 22-14 shot advantage despite the Vulcans collecting 12 shots in the second period. Seton Hill posted an 11-4 edge in corner kicks with Cal U attempting all four of its kicks after halftime. The teams were issued a combined seven yellow cards, all coming after the 74th minute.
Cal U will play its final non-conference contest of the season on Thursday, Oct. 17, when it travels to face West Liberty at 7:30 p.m.
