The UR Yellowjackets men’s soccer team took on the Brandeis Owls Oct. 18 at Fauver stadium, in the third game of the United Athletics Association (UAA) league finals.
From the countless corner kicks and headers to block the ball from the opposing team, the game was constantly entertaining. First-year Kyle Wong, #25, notably blocked many attempts by the Owls as he stayed with the Yellowjackets’ defensively-oriented lineup.
With the game tied 0–0 at the end of the first half, the men had already had an eventful game between saves, goal kicks, and headers. With the corner kicks from both the Yellowjackets and Owls, plus the goal kicks from graduate student Ben Ziegler, #1, the defensive line kept the offense busy. Ziegler was able to outsmart the Owls’ offensive team and work around their strategy with many tight saves. Zielger, as well as senior Juan Lucena Fois, #8, kept the Owls on their toes with regard to the success of shots taken.
The Owls scored two goals and the Yellowjackets took one in the second half, which came at the unfortunate time of the 78th minute in the game The 2–1 score shouldn’t affect the standings going into the final games of the UAA season, but it could impact overall statistical rankings by the end of season.
With their win against NYU Oct. 11, the Yellowjackets’ record keeps them in the upper part of the standings going into the final game.
As the men make their way into the heart of UAA final games, their current standings will help them. With 243 shots this season and 30 total goals thus far, the Yellowjackets are ranked second for total shots and third for total goals.
The Yellowjackets’ 3–2 win against Washington University Oct. 24 leaves them with a good strategy and gateway into the UAA final games.
