ROCHESTER, NY – RIT goalkeeper Alan Smith (Lancaster, PA/Penn Manor) (Lancaster, PA/Penn Manor) made two diving stops in the shootout, helping RIT advance to the championship game of the Empire 8 Men’s Soccer Tournament. RIT tied Alfred 0-0, but won the shootout 4-2 as Geoff Schmidt (Wooster, OH/Wooster) (Wooster, OH/Wooster) scored the game-clincher for the Tigers.

RIT, the tournament’s top seed, advances to Saturday’s championship game where they will take on Nazareth College.

 

RIT had seven shots in an action-packed first half and Alfred fired seven as Brian Middleton made two saves for the Saxons. Smith stopped three shots in the first half.

 

Alfred had the first legitimate scoring chance with about 29 minutes remaining in the first half. Gavin Beem sent a booming cross into RIT’s penalty area. Bobby Linaberry hit a half volley that Smith had to sprawl to his right and make the diving save.

RIT’s first real chance came with about 25 minutes play in the first half on a shot by Chuck Marion (Syracuse, NY/Westhill) (Syracuse, NY/Westhill). He and Schmidt worked the give-and-go with the ball ending on Marion’s foot. Marion's shot from eight yards away went high over the cross-bar.

Jake Yates (Waynesburg, PA/Waynesburg) (Waynesburg, PA/Waynesburg) had a great chance early in the second half. Marion hit a beautiful corner that Yates headed toward the net. Middleton reacted nicely to the shot and just got his hands on the ball.

RIT had another golden opportunity with 16 remaining in regulation. Mark Frisicano (Rochester, NY/Greece Olympia) (Rochester, NY/Greece Olympia) drove the ball to the end-line. He sent a low cross into the box that found Chuck Marion (Syracuse, NY/Westhill)’s feet. He ripped a shot that blocked wide by an Alfred defender. The rebound came right to Chris Sappo (Essex Junction, VT/Essex) (Essex, VT/Essex Junction) and his shot was also blocked clear of danger.

Alfred had the best chance right at the end of the first overtime. Adam Morgan dribbled through a couple defenders and rifled a cross that was just out of the reach Linaberry who was streaking into the box.

Levi Stuck (Wolcott, NY/North Rose-Wolcott) (Wolcott, NY/North Rose-Wolcott) had a great look at goal in the second overtime. An Alfred defender misplayed a ball that cam right to Stuck. He took one dribble and nailed a shot that just missed the top right corner.