NEW YORK — After conceding an early goal, the Pratt Institute men's soccer team found the equalizer with less than 10 minutes to play to achieve a 1-1 result with Sarah Lawrence College on Tuesday evening at Randall's Island.
The Gryphons (5-6-1) had the early opportunities and converted on their fourth shot attempt in the first 11 minutes as Asefa Thorne gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. The visitors would finish with a 9-2 shot edge in the period, but Carter Tillman made five saves in the half to keep it a one-goal game at the break.
The second stanza saw more offensive chances for Pratt (1-6-3) as they pressed for the equalizer. In the 82nd minute, Efe Ozdemir settled a ball played into the box down to Dylan Costa who shot it low past the goalkeeper to level the match at 1-all.
Sarah Lawrence had a good look at goal in the final minute but Dimitris Papagiannakopoulos made a diving save – his fourth of the half – to preserve a second-half clean sheet and the tie.
Omri Hadad fired a team-high five shots (two on goal). Costa finished with two shots and his team-leading third goal of the season. Ozdemir's assist was his first of the season.
With non-conference preparations now complete, Pratt turns their focus to their inaugural season competing in the Atlantic East Conference. The Cannoneers return to Randall's Island Field 10 on Wednesday, October 9 to host Gwynedd Mercy University for their league opener kicking off at 6:30 p.m.
