Box Score LAKEWOOD, N.J. – Senior goalkeeper John Burns (Saddle Brook, N.J.) made a career-high 12 saves, including two in extra time, and did not allow a goal in the run of play as the Felician University men's soccer team tied host Georgian Court University, 1-1, in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action on Saturday afternoon at Investors Savings Bank Park.
Georgian Court (5-2-2, 2-1-1 CACC) was the 2016 CACC champion. The result was the first draw in CACC men's play this season.
The sides played a relatively even first period. When Lion goalkeeper Yianni Kavarakas (Oakhurst, N.J.) made a save of a Francisco Barona (Kearny, N.J.) shot an instant before the buzzer sounded, the teams entered the halftime break scoreless.
Felician (3-4-1, 2-1-1) broke through on the scoreboard in the 65th minute when sophomore Kevin Valdivia (Hawthorne, N.J.) put a shot off the inside of the left post and past Kavarakas. Freshman Leo Yang (Palisades Park, N.J.) was credited with an assist on the play. Valdivia's goal would prove to be the Golden Falcons' only shot attempt of the second half.
Though GCU dominated statistically, it needed assistance from the visitors to gain the equalizer. With 16:20 to play in regulation, a foul inside the 18-yard box resulted in a Lion penalty kick. Sophomore Javel Dawkins (Stratford, Conn.) converted to knot the score. Despite second-half advantages of 14-1 in shots and 5-1 in corner kicks for the Lions, the teams headed to overtime.
Burns, who was credited with seven second-period saves, made one in each extra session. His stop of a Vincius Monteiro (Sao Paulo, Brazil) attempt with 1:14 left in the game preserved the point in the standings for Felician.
GCU out-shot the Golden Falcons 24-7 for the day, and owned a 10-1 edge in corners. The Lions used 20 players to just 14 for Felician. Georgian Court junior Daniel Vicente (Kearny, N.J.) led all individuals with six shots. Kavarakas finished with two saves.
The teams were whistled for a combined 47 fouls (26-21 Felician). Five yellow caution cards were issued (3-2 Felician).
The Golden Falcons return to action for a CACC match against Concordia (N.Y.) College on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in Bronxville, N.Y.
