Junior goalkeeper Brandon McFarlane made seven saves to preserve Stonehill's 0-0 double-overtime draw with #8 Southern New Hampshire today. |
Stonehill Holds #8 Southern N.H., 0-0 (2OT)
McFarlane's seven saves earns Skyhawks draw with nationally-ranked Penmen
EASTON, Mass. (September 16, 2009) - Stonehill College, ranked tenth in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Division II East Regional poll, earned its biggest result in recent memory as it held Southern New Hampshire University, ranked 8th nationally and first in the region by the NSCAA, to a scoreless double-overtime draw at Skyhawk Field this afternoon.
Junior goalkeeper Brandon McFarlane (Norwich, Conn./Norwich Free Academy) made seven saves, including five in the first half alone, in goal for Stonehill to earn his third shutout of the season (fifth career). McFarlane made more than his fair share of tough stops on the day, none bigger than late in the first half when he blocked a shot from Southern New Hampshire junior Danny Hernandez (Salem, N.H./Salem) from the left side. The rebound squirted away, but freshman Chris Tsonis (Dartmouth, Mass./Dartmouth) was only able to fire a second attempt into McFarlane's chest.
Southern New Hampshire grad student Sean Lambert (Rehoboth, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth) made five saves in goal for the Penmen, three in the second half, for his fourth clean sheet of the season. Lambert was tested early by Stonehill as he was called on to make a pair of first half saves on sophomore Michael White (Lisbon, N.H./Lisbon Regional).
Southern New Hampshire finished with a 13-8 edge in shots for the match, but they were even at five each in the second half. The Penmen recorded both overtime shots, including one on target by junior Michael Adam (Ludlow, Mass./Ludlow) in the first extra session.
Stonehill (5-1-1, 1-1-1 NE-10) is back in action on Saturday when it visits rivals Bentley University for a Northeast-10 matchup at 11 a.m. The Skyhawks return home next Tuesday, September 22, to host Merrimack College at 4 p.m. Southern New Hampshire (5-1-1, 2-0-1 NE-10) hosts American International College on Saturday at 7 p.m.
