WAYNE, N.J. (September 4, 2019) – The FDU men's soccer team battled back from a three-goal deficit to tie host William Paterson University 4-4 Wednesday evening.

FDU moves to 1-0-1 on the season, while William Paterson is now 0-2-1. Sophomore Salvatore Vassallo shined for the Devils with two goals including a game-tying score in the 89th minute.

William Paterson would quickly take advantage of early mishaps as they scored off a penalty kick in the 18th minute to take the 1-0 lead. Following a stellar defensive effort that resulted in a blocked WPU shot, the Pioneers corralled the rebound to get off a second attempt, and this time the shot was successful. The Pioneers held on to their lead for the remainder of the half and went into the halftime break up 2-0.

In the first minute of the second half, WPU would once again take advantage of an FDU penalty, as they scored off a penalty kick to extend their lead to 3-0. The Devils took little time to cut into the deficit as junior Brandon McGregor took a pass from sophomore Billy Farnan around the seven-yard line for a goal. Up 3-1, William Paterson continued to execute on offense as they added to their lead to take the 4-1 advantage. 

Trailing by three goals, the Devils would not quit as Vassallo responded less than three minutes later with a goal off a feed from junior Ricky La Stella. Down 4-2, the Devils continued to attack against the WPU defenders as a possession starting with a Vassallo missed header turned into a goal from junior Jonathan Rodriguez off a quick pass from sophomore Stefan Zawojski. 

Trailing 4-3 with nine minutes remaining, FDU turned to Vassallo to provide late-game heroics. At 89:05, Vassallo missed on the potential game-tying goal but hustled for the rebound to get off a second shot. The second attempt from in close found the back of the net for the equalizing tally, sending the game to extra time.

A solid defensive effort in the first extra period by the Devils prevented all WPU shot attempts from going in and brought the contest into a second overtime. In the second OT, sophomore goalie Tiernan Grey squandered two WPU attempts at the win, including a save in the 98th minute to help secure the 4-4 score.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Vassallo's multi-goal performance is the first of his career.
• Grey tied his career-high in saves with eight, he last notched eight last fall against Manhattanville. 
• Rodriguez has scored in two straight games to open his FDU career.

UP NEXT
The Devils return to Robert T. Shields Field this Saturday, September 7 to host Farmingdale State College at 3:00 p.m.