Sometimes teams win games they deserve to lose. Sometimes teams lose games they deserve to win. When both teams deserve to win, they're lucky to tie.
Last night the Penn men's soccer team faced Seton Hall at Rhodes Field, the first of two Big East opponents. It has been over four years since Penn has defeated the Pirates, including a meltdown last year in which the Quakers conceded two own goals.
And following double overtime and 110 minutes of contentious play, Penn was once again unable to come away with a win, tying the Pirates 1-1.
Penn coach Rudy Fuller, while not pleased his team couldn't add to the win column, believed the result was fitting: both teams played well but were unable to capitalize on overtime chances. Overall, as he puts it, "It was a fun soccer game."
The two teams played evenly the majority of the first half. Not making an attempt to break the stalemate, Fuller resisted turning to his bench until he subbed in Andrew Ferry and Kevin Unger 18 minutes before the break.
This proved to be just what the Quakers (6-2-1, 2-0 Ivy) needed, as three quick minutes later, Ferry assisted junior Derek Hobson for the first goal of the game.
According to Hobson, the team had been working on through balls all week at practice. That work paid off when Ferry's ball to Hobson was able to crack the scoreless tie.
But there was still cause for concern, as the Quakers have had difficulty putting teams away this season after scoring early. Against La Salle, the Red and Blue was unable to take advantage of a 2-0 edge, falling 3-2 to the Explorers.
"We have a tendency to let the pedal off a little bit, which is something we need to work on," Hobson said.
Although the remainder of the half was dominated offensively by the Pirates, they couldn't answer.
Entering the second half, the Pirates showed a strong desire to score.
When Seton Hall's John Raus received the ball 69 minutes into the game, it looked as though it might have touched his hand. However, the referee kept silent, and seconds later, Penn goalie Dan Cepero was picking the ball out of his net.
However, Fuller was not overly concerned with the questionable equalizer.
"Regardless of whether it was a hand ball or not, they deserved a goal," he said.
As time began winding down, both teams played with a sense of urgency.
As a result, the shots on goal and the number of fouls both increased - four of the game's five yellow cards came after halftime.
Despite the intensity displayed by both teams, regulation ended in a tie.
After a brief intermission, the Quakers and Pirates took the field for the first overtime. Penn fans breathed a sigh of relief when unrelenting performances by junior Keith Vereb and Cepero were enough to hold the Pirates from scoring in the first overtime despite prolonged pressure on the Penn goal.
Fuller had one simple request for his team as it entered the second overtime: "Get a goal."
But despite strong offensive performances in the final 10 minutes of play, they were unable to connect for an offensive payoff.
Cepero still believes the Quakers put forth a solid effort against the Pirates.
"I don't think we wavered for a second in overtime," he said.
The men's soccer team has off until its weekend series. Fuller has a good idea of what the Red and Blue will be working on until then.
"We need to make sure that when we have a team on the ropes we put them away."
