Bronx, N.Y. – Sophomore
Paul Makaj picked the ideal time to score his first career goal – a golden goal in the middle of double overtime in the 2019 Atlantic 10 opener. Makaj's 105
th-minute tally broke a 1-1 tie with La Salle on Saturday afternoon at Jack Coffey Field. With the win, the Rams improve to 2-4-1 overall on the season and begin league play at 1-0. The Explorers fall to 3-4 and 0-1, respectively.
Chris Pensuwan sent a pinpoint cross deep from right midfield to the foot of
Sameer Fathazada on the left side of the box. The junior wisely held play for a moment, allowing Makaj to make a run to the center of the box unmarked. The Rams had led for much of regulation following
Filippo Ricupati's penalty in the 28
th minute. However, the visitors struck in dramatic fashion with Sam Decencio's left-footed volley from at least 25 yards out over the head of
Konstantin Weis in goal in the 83
rd minute.
There were two 'nearly' goals, one for each team. La Salle had a goal ruled offside midway through the second half, while the Rams had a penalty chance denied in the first overtime period when Ricupati seemed to have been felled by the goalie Brett Werner.
A very even match from start to finish, the visitors held a slight lead on shots, 16-13, but the Rams had nine shots on target compared to their opponent's eight. Each goalie made seven saves. La Salle had 11 corner kicks to Fordham's six, while the Rams committed 17 fouls out of 29.
Four yellow cards were handed out in the match. Three for the hosts – to
Bart Dziedzic, Ricupati, and
Joergen Oland, and one to La Salle's Franc Gamiz Quer. This was the Rams' fourth overtime match of the season already and second straight; they have a 1-2-1 record in those matches.
Fordham will take a brief break from league play by hosting Manhattan on Tuesday night at Coffey Field. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
