JERSEY CITY, NJ…In a 110-minute battle of two of the most consistent programs nationally this decade, No. 6 ranked Stevens Institute of Technology outshot 18th-ranked Drew University, 16-6, but the two powerhouses played to a 0-0 double-overtime tie, in the final game of the 2005 New Jersey City University/adidas® Liberty Cup at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field.
Drew (3-0-1) does not win a game for the first time this season, and finished 1-0-1 in the tournament, placing as the 2005 Liberty Cup Runner-Up. Stevens (0-1-2) finished third in the tournament after tying a nationally-ranked opponent for the second time this season. The Ducks have only allowed one goal in 310 minutes of action this season but have not scored a goal yet this year.
NJCU (4-1-0), the host team, wins its second consecutive Liberty Cup championship, after upsetting Stevens, 1-0, on Saturday, and downing Johnson and Wales University, 1-0 in Sunday’s first game. Drew, 3-0 winners over JWU on day one of the event, could have won the tournament title with a win over Stevens, based on goal differential with the Gothic Knights.
Senior goalkeeper Dan Biggers (Boulder, CO/Boulder) made two saves to record his third straight shutout, while junior keeper Chris Celentano (Newton, NJ/Newton) notched one save. Biggers has not allowed a goal in his last 270:00 in net. Celentano has surrendered just the lone NJCU goal in his 310 minutes.
In a defensive-minded showcase, each team attempted three shots in the first half, but the Ducks did not obtain their first look until 33:16 into the period.
Stevens, which outshot the Rangers, 9-3 in the second period, and 13-3 in the final 75:38 of the game, had its best scoring opportunity of the day at 64:14 of the second half, as sophomore midfielder Sean Bliss (Phoenix, AZ/Brophy College Prep) clanked a shot from inside the box off the right corner of the crossbar, and a rebound chance by freshman forward Jeremy Heiskenan (Hopatcong, NJ/Hopatcong) sailed just high.
Drew’s best chance came at 79:37, as Celentano slid to stop a shot by senior midfielder Tim Cordier (Skillman, NJ/Montgomery). The ball trickled loose on the right corner of the goal, but no Drew player could capitalize on the rebound.
The Rangers were not able to attempt a shot in the final 24:51 of the contest. Neither school had a notable scoring threat in the two overtime sessions.
Biggers, senior forward Tyler Brisk (Closter, NJ/Northern Valley-Demarest) and junior defender Joe Favata (Livingston, NJ/Christian Brothers) were each selected to the All-Tournament Team representing the Rangers.
Junior defender Nick Gkionis (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) and senior midfielder Steve Liebezeit (Pompton Lakes, NJ/Pompton Lakes) received All-Tournament Team nods from Stevens.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
