NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Saint Peter's University men's soccer team finished its 2020-21 regular season slate with a 1-1 tie at Iona on Thursday afternoon. The Peacocks found themselves trailing 1-0 as late as the 86th minute, until junior midfielder
Jamie Davis was able to head in the team's first score of the day off a feed from senior captain
Jordan Jowers.
The split leads to a 3-2-1 regular season finish for Saint Peter's, which earns the men a spot in the 2020-21 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Men's Soccer Championship. The quarterfinals are set to begin on Sunday, April 11, and will feature the top eight teams in the conference. The top four seeds will serve as host institutions for the first round.
Game Notes
- As has been a theme of the team's outings this season, the Peacocks began with an early offensive attack, as senior David Garcia and junior Matt Hoyt combined for three shots within the first seven minutes of Thursday's match.
- Neither side would find a shot on target until Iona placed a shot on goal in the 40th minute which was denied by senior goalkeeper Robbie Anderson.
- The Gaels were able to secure the rebound off the save though, and would immediately get another shot off, this time finding the back of the Saint Peter's net with just over five minutes left before halftime.
- The Peacocks were able to regain their offensive focus at the start of the second half, as junior midfielder Tom Coulson got a strong shot off that just missed the mark and hit off the woodwork at the 49' mark.
- Moments later, a shot from Davis would yield the same result, while senior forward Dominic Laws recorded two shots on goal that were saved by the Iona keeper.
- Anderson was then able to make two crucial back-to-back saves from the 65th to 66th minute, keeping the Peacocks within one goal of the Gaels.
- Saint Peter's attack finally broke through in the 84th minute off of Davis' goal, bringing the score level to 1-1.
- Both sides then struggled offensively in extra minutes, as only three shots were attempted by the Gaels in the overtime periods while Saint Peter's could not find an opportunity.
Inside the Numbers
- Davis now holds two goals on the year, following his score in the team's 3-2 win over Quinnipiac on March 29.
- Thursday's draw marks the program's second consecutive road trip at Iona that has ended in a tie, following the Peacocks' 2-2 finish against the Gaels on October 6, 2018.
- Each side had ample offensive opportunities, as Saint Peter's recorded 16 shots on the day while Iona finished with 17.
- The Gaels held the advantage in chances from the corner, as the hosts garnered seven corner kick compared to four from the Peacocks.
- Nine yellow cards were issued in the exchange with Iona, with six being issued to the Gaels while three were dealt to the Peacocks.
Coach's Quotes - Julian Richens:
- "Incredibly tough conference game with everything on the line for playoff seedings today."
- "We hit the post three times before the equalizer so we continue to create chances from different positions."
- "We have needed everyone in our squad so far, putting a real shift in for the team effort."
Up Next
- The Peacocks will prepare for the 2020-21 MAAC Men's Soccer Championship, which is set to make its return from April 11-17. All rounds are set to be hosted by the highest seeds.
