Khanat's Double-Overtime Goal Secures Men's Soccer Postseason with 1-0 Win Over UNH

BOX SCORE | AMERICA EAST STANDINGS | AMERICA EAST FULL SCHEDULE 

ALBANY, N.Y. – Moosah Khanat netted his first career goal in dramatic fashion on Saturday night, scoring in double overtime for a 1-0 University at Albany men's soccer (8-7-1, 3-2 AE) victory against UNH (8-3-3, 2-2-1 AE). The win clinched a spot for the Great Danes in the America East tournament set to begin on Saturday, Nov. 7.

“We want to take care of business at home,” said head coach Trevor Gorman. “And anytime those games are late in the season, they have added importance. I really liked our energy tonight, so to have our guys find a way at the end like that gives even more value to these three points.”

The game started slowly for both squads, as shots were scarce. The teams combined for just two shots on goal and two corners in the opening 45 minutes. With the wind playing a factor early on at Casey Stadium, shots were easily miss-hit, flying well high or wide.

As the teams adjusted to the cold and blustery conditions, quality looks increased in the second half. New Hampshire nearly took the lead in the 53rd minute, as Chris Arling clipped the left post on a low rocket from the top of the 18-yard box.

That momentum carried the Wildcats into two corners and one shot mid-way through the half. UAlbany recovered on defense to shift the game into the midfield late in regulation. Neither team managed a shot on goal for the final 20 minutes of the second half.

Eric Orologio was tested early in the first overtime period, punching a shot down the middle over the bar with seven minutes gone in the period. The Danes responded offensively, as Philip Persson and Jake Barros received open looks on the backside of the goal. Neither forced UNH goalkeeper Ryan Carpenter to make a save.

With crucial conference points on the line, the Purple & Gold tightened up its defense to counter up front. Carlos Clark blocked a shot late in the second overtime to send UAlbany downfield. Moosah Khanat fired a shot wide, but UNH committed a foul outside its own 18 shortly after.

Persson set up on the right side with the clock winding down near two minutes remaining. The senior co-captain served up a ball to Clark on the far post. The freshman headed the ball down to Khanat on the right post, and he buried a shot on an open net. The game-winner marked Khanat's first career goal in the Great Dane uniform.

The double-overtime victory marks UAlbany's first in extra time since a 2-1 win against New Hampshire on Oct. 26, 2013.

The dramatic win also secures an America East tournament bid. UAlbany sits in second with nine points and two games remaining. Binghamton leads the standings with 10 points at 3-1-1. The Danes face the Bearcats in Vestal on Nov. 4 to conclude the regular season.

AMERICA EAST MEN'S SOCCER STANDINGS – OCT. 24

Next up, UAlbany men's soccer (8-7-1, 3-2 AE) visits Vermont (7-5-3, 2-1-2 AE) on Oct. 31 at 1:00pm.