September 24, 2005

NEWARK, NJ - New Jersey Institute of Technology and Philadelphia University played a 0-0 double overtime Saturday evening in the Atlantic Soccer Conference opener for both teams on NJIT's Lubetkin Field.

The Highlanders and the visiting Rams played 110 minutes of scoreless soccer in a clean game that featured some exciting attacks and long runs by both teams.

The tie was the first of the season for visiting Philadelphia, which is 3-4-1 overall. NJIT, on the other hand, has made a habit of playing beyond the regulation 90 minutes. The Highlanders are 1-3-4 overall and have gone to overtime in six of their eight games this season.

Both starting goalies went the distance, with NJIT's Collin Cunning making 10 saves for his second double overtime shutout of the season. He earlier held Stony Brook scoreless in a 0-0 tie. Philadelphia's Phil Szczerba stopped eight shots. Szczerba made half of his saves in the second overtime, including one that kept the Rams alive, as NJIT's Sean Pyne shot from 15 yards out on a 3-on-2 break early in the period.

"Today was the most complete game we've played this season," said NJIT coach Pedro Lopes. "There were a few stretches of inconsistencies that last maybe five minutes, but for the most part, we put on a good show and a good effort on both ends."

The Highlanders will resume play on Wednesday, September 28, when they host Central Connecticut State in a 6:30 pm start at Lubetkin Field.