Marvin Sibanda and Robert Reynolds combined for three shots off the post, but were unable to beat the goalkeeper as the St. Lawrence University men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision in double-overtime to 18th-ranked SUNY Cortland at Sandy MacAllaster Field on Tuesday afternoon.

The Saints moved to 4-3-0 on the season, while the Red Dragons improved to 6-1-1.

"That was an excellent game today between two very good teams," said head coach Mike Toshack "It was a shame one team had to lose, as both teams were good and created great opportunities. The crossbar was not our friend today, but other days those could've gone in, which is the nature of the game. We look forward to starting our Liberty League slate on Saturday against Union."
  
The game got off to a fast and furious start offensively and the Saints nearly capitalized in the opening minute. Just 43 seconds in, Sibanda, who had a team-high eight shots, received the ball at the top of the box and had an open look at Cortland's Braden Melveney. He fired the shot, but the keeper deflected the ball off the crossbar and out. Sibanda had a second look with a header off the save, but missed high.

The rest of the first half went the way of the Red Dragons, as they outshot the Scarlet and Brown 7-2 and 2-1 in shots on goal. Cortland had four corner kicks in the first half, to the Saints' zero.

The second half was more evenly played in terms of shots, with both teams generating nine shots apiece. However, it was the Red Dragons who were getting their shots to the net, testing Saints' goalkeeper Ben Woelfinger. Woelfinger was up to the task shutting the door on all seven shots that found the Saints' goal, sending the game to overtime.

One of the biggest saves came with just under 12 minutes in regulation as Lukas Rubio found himself in prime real estate in front of the keeper. Rubio got a left-footed shot off but was smothered by Woelfinger, who confidently stopped the chance.



In the first overtime, the Saints outshot the Red Dragons 3-0 as they searched for a tiebreaker.

The Saints dialed up intense pressure in the second overtime period and hit two posts in the process. Reynolds was first as he had a step on the defender in the box but fired it off the short-side post, keeping the game even. Just 32 seconds later, Max Mogul made a run down the right side of the field and fired a cross to Sibanda, who headed the ball and drilled the crossbar once again keeping them off the board.

The Red Dragons went on the counterattack and received a corner kick with just over five minutes left in the game. Jack Coleman put a head on the Rubio corner, but was turned away by Woelfinger from point blank range. The ball landed on the foot of Anthony Ruggiero, who tapped the ball in for the game-winner.  

Woelfinger finished the game with 11 saves, while Melveney had five saves in the contest.

The Saints were outshot 16-11 in regulation, but came back to tie Cortland at 19 apiece with their overtime efforts. The Red Dragons had a 12-5 advantage in shots on goal, and an 11-4 edge in corner kicks.   

The Scarlet and Brown will be back at Sandy MacAllaster Field this coming Saturday during Family Weekend, opening their Liberty League schedule at 3:00 p.m. against Union College.