Men’s Soccer Game Ends In 0-0 Tie Against Clark Stormy Weather Creates Defensive Match
A hard-fought men’s soccer match between conference foes MIT and Clark University ended in a 0-0 tie on Saturday afternoon at Steinbrenner Stadium, as each team opened its New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference schedule with a well-deserved point. The scoreless draw is the first such result for the Engineers since 1996, when they had two in one season against both Gordon College and Babson College.
The Cardinal and Gray’s record now stands at 3-0-1 overall and 0-0-1 in the NEWMAC. Clark, which has played to three straight stalemates, is 1-1-3 overall and 0-0-1 in the conference.
Both teams had difficulty creating scoring opportunities throughout the match, as gusting winds and occasional showers made for unfavorable weather conditions. They also contributed to a high foul count, as MIT committed 30 to Clark’s 21.
Clark forward Jenner Alpern came closest to scoring in regulation, as the junior’s 22nd-minute shot was cleared off of the line by an MIT defender after sophomore Andrew Ninnemman had rounded Tech keeper Thomas S. Caldwell ’09. Engineer forward Chase J. Lochmiller ’08 provided the Cardinal and Gray’s best scoring chance with a 25-yard drive midway through the second half that forced a save out of Clark goalkeeper Peter Wise.
The visitors had a golden opportunity to secure victory 2:35 into the game’s first overtime session, but Cougar freshman Kyle Klapp was unlucky, as his driven penalty ricocheted off the outside of the right post.
Caldwell finished with four saves to earn his second shutout of the season and seventh of his career. Wise was forced to stop just one shot for his first shutout of the campaign.
MIT will return to the field on Wednesday, Sept. 19 when it will pay a visit to Wentworth Institute of Technology at 7 p.m.