Firebirds Fall to NYIT, 3-0

WASHINGTON, DC – After a scoreless first half, the University of the District of Columbia men's soccer team surrendered three goals in the closing period, as the Firebirds fell, 3-0 to East Coast Conference foe New York Institute of Technology on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Cooper Field.

The Firebirds fell to 2-7-1 overall and 2-1-1 in the ECC with today's loss, and NYIT improves to 6-3-1 overall and 2-1 in league play.

UDC controlled possession for much of the first half, but were stymied by the Bears' defensive unit which yielded just three shots. UDC's defensive unit did a solid job containing NYIT's offense as well, allowing just five shots and only one shot on goal. Goalkeepers Jonathan Rico (NYIT) and Ever Guevera Alvarez (UDC) each had one save and a shutout heading into the second half.

Krishen Patel opened the scoring in the 57^th minute when he poked a shot in from about two feet away after a breakaway led by Ben Wilson and Simon-Peter Omooba. Just over 10 minutes later, Patel passed to an open Jorge Sariego, who shot a bullet over the 6'0 Alvarez's head and beat him top shelf for the Bears' 2^nd goal of the afternoon. Patel added his 2^nd and NYIT's 3^rd goal of the day in the 72^nd minute - another shot blasted over the head of Alvarez. NYIT out-shot UDC 7-1 in the second half (12-4 for the game) and had four corner kicks to UDC's one (11-3 for the game).

The Firebirds' only shot of the 2^nd half came only two minutes into the period by Benhur Gebretsanie, and Rico made the save to preserve the shutout victory. Both Alvarez and Gebretsanie were relieved in the second half, with Andrew Pereira coming on for the final 6:47 and Joao Brusamolin playing the final 15:37. Neither backup goalkeeper faced a shot.

Next up for UDC is a non-conference game at home vs. Mercyhurst University on Wednesday, October 5^th at Maryland SoccerPlex.