| 11/2/2002 10:18:57 PM
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ITHACA, N.Y. - The RIT Men's soccer team hadn't given up a goal in Empire 8 play all season, but a lone goal proved to be enough to end any hopes of an Empire 8 Championship for the Tigers. Breaking away from Tiger defenders, Nazareth forward Jefferson Dargout (Rochester, N.Y.) put a shot past goalkeeper Brian Lenzo (Greece, N.Y.) at the 73rd minute to seal a 1-0 victory for the Golden Flyers on Saturday.
Played during extreme cold and medium snowfall, the effects of the harsh weather on gameplay were quite evident. During the first period, both teams took a few minutes to get warmed up and acclimated to the colder ball which did not travel very well. Numerous missed kicks and misplayed balls occured due to the slippery playing conditions and led to only eight shots on goal during the contest.
RIT and Nazareth had already played to a 0-0 tie last Wednesday, after the first period this game looked as if it was headed for the same result. Both teams ended the first tied for shots, saves, fouls, and corners. Trae Lower (Gettysburg, Pa.) was the aggressor for RIT with four shots, Dargout for the Golden Flyers with four shots of his own.
At the 71st minute, it looked as if RIT would finally break the stalemate when Ithaca goalkeeper Steve Hogan (Camillus, N.Y.) unsuccessfully tried to intercept a cross from Tiger forward Dan Beca (Canandaigua, N.Y.). Nuno Monteiro (Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal) received the pass in front of an open net, but unfortunately his shot traveled wide left. Sixty seconds later, Dargout would score the eventual game winner.
After the game, Coach Garno commended the team on the effort and was confident the Tigers played well enough to come out victorious.
The Tigers will conclude their season on Friday, Nov. 8th when they play host to cross town rival University of Rochester.
