BOX SCORE LORETTO, Pa. – (Oct. 11, 2013) The Saint Francis men's soccer team opened up Northeast Conference play with a 1-1 tie to the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights late Friday afternoon. Tonight's game marked the third consecutive time in two years SFU and FDU have ended in double overtime.

Senior Nick Kolarac (Pittsburgh, Pa./West Allegheny) made Saint Francis's second shot of the first period count, giving Saint Francis a 1-0 lead mid-way through the first period. Ryan Byers (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) excellent through ball gave Kolarac the space needed to beat out the FDU keeper. Kolarac netted his eighth goal of the season, moving him into eighth in the nation in goals scored. Byers collected his team-high fourth assist.

"The first thirty minutes were pretty frantic with the weather," said Head Coach Michael Casper. " We were able to get a really good goal in the first half, on a really good moment of quality from Byers and Nick." "We went into halftime up 1-0, which we were pleased with."

Despite many good looks on goal, the Red Flash could not prevent the Knights from tying the match 1-1. Junior midfielder Martin Lukaschik scored the equalizer for the Knights off a blast from 18 feet out. Senior Nico Wright picked up the assist for FDU.

Fairleigh Dickinson controlled the shot column the majority of the second period, holding a 6-to-5 advantage over the Red Flash.

Unable to notch a scoring opportunity in the first 10 minutes of extra time, the Red Flash out-shot the Knights 2-to-1 in the final overtime period ending in a 1-1 draw.

The Red and White had four athletes with two shots, totaling nine on the game.

Saint Francis held the Knights in check, taking seven corner kicks to FDU's three.

Both goalkeepers tallied two saves apiece in the tie.

"We were disappointed not to get the win and three points, but that just makes Sunday all the more important," said Coach Casper. "Overall I thought we played a great game, two very good teams and unfortunately both of us had to settle for a tie."


The Red Flash continues NEC play in Loretto Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. against Bryant.