Box Score
Madison, NJ (Nov. 13, 2013) – An evenly matched tilt, scoreless for most of the way, came down to the final 25 minutes Wednesday night in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Metro Championship Quarterfinal, with No. 3 FDU-Florham edging No. 6 Purchase, 2-0.
The hosts scored in the 68th minute off a goal by Ryan Hurdes, his team-leading 20th of the season, and then less than two minutes later scored another goal on a penalty kick by Andrew Ruane.
The two blemishes for Purchase did not shed light on a well played defensive game, especially in goal. The Panthers and Devils went toe-to-toe in another thrilling defensive struggle – a characteristic of both teams this season, with the visiting Panthers falling most recently in the league semifinals in a shootout and FDU-Florham entering tonight's action after losing its conference title game, 2-1.
"It was a great season for our men's soccer program and tonight, despite the final score, is another highlight in a fall of memorable moments," said Purchase Athletic Director Chris Bisignano, who noted the Panthers' first men's soccer ECAC bid since returning to the NCAA in 2005, while also once again congratulating head coach James Bruno, the Skyline Conference Coach of the Year, and his club, which featured four All-Skyline selections.
The game lived up to the hype. The first half was tightly contested throughout on a bitter evening, with temperatures dropping down to the low 30s and at one point hovering around 24 degrees late in the second half.
The freezing temperatures certainly did not help the scoring touch for either side. Purchase managed two shots in the first half – both off the foot of All-Skyline 1st Teamer and captain Junior Sanguina (JR/White Plains, NY).
The Devils outshot Purchase 14-2 in the opening half, but Panther All-Skyline 2nd Teamer Esteban Aguilar (SO/East Hampton, NY) was flawless in goal, making eight saves, including several of the highlight-reel variety.
The second half continued in stalemate. It also continued to feature more brilliance in goal by Aguilar, who made a terrific save in traffic at 35:35 off a sharp shot attempt by Hurdes, who leads FDU-Florham in goals, shots, points and game winners.
Shortly later, Aguilar made another key stop on a header that kept the game scoreless. He would do so again with 28 minutes left, nabbing a shot off a corner kick.
But Hurdes would follow moments later and break the scoreless tie.
FDU-Florham (12-8-1) will advance now to face the winner of the (No. 7) Brooklyn College/(No. 2) Stockton College Saturday. The Panthers finish the season at 9-7-3 overall.
NOTES: Aguilar, who faced 24 shots, finished with 12 saves … Well-known actor Robert Clohessy, the father of Panther standout Myles Clohessy (SO/Cornwall, CT), was in attendance … Purchase head women's volleyball coach Marc Solondz also made the trip to FDU-Florham.
