Stony Brook, N.Y. - For the second consecutive season the Stony Brook men's soccer team (8-5-2, 3-2 AE) notched a 2-1 overtime victory over its SUNY-rival Albany (8-4-2, 3-1-1), this time to secure a spot in the America East Conference Playoffs.

Anatol's Reaction

"We started slowly in what were really difficult weather conditions tonight," said head coach Ryan Anatol. "Albany is a tough team and was able to take advantage in the first half. The response we showed in the second half was tremendous. We played with the grit and determination that the game demanded and completely turned thing around in the second half and overtime to get a much-deserved win."

Highlights

• Albany, who entered the contest tied-for-first place in the America East standings and owns an RPI ranking of 15, struck first in the 30th minute when Daniel Kutzen's rocket from 12 yards out beat junior goalkeeper Tom McMahon (Nassau Bay, Texas) to the near post.
• Stony Brook had a difficult time generating offense in the rainy and windy conditions until freshman Macdara Heanue (Garrison, N.Y.) broke a 226 minute scoreless drought for the Seawolves with his first career goal, a one-touch finish off a rebound.
• The Seawolves came out the aggressor in the second half. Heanue got on the end of another lose ball in the box but his shot attempt was stopped in tight by the Albany keeper. 
• Heanue found junior forward Akeem Morris (Elmont, N.Y.) in the 68th minute with a great cross behind the back four, but he could only manage to deflect it wide.
• Albany was limited to just two second half shots, but one forced a diving save by McMahon with just three minutes left in regulation to send the match to overtime.
• Heanue was in the center of the action again a minute into overtime, springing junior Vince Erdei (Budapest, Hungary) with a through ball. Erdei beat the keeper to the ball and was brought down on his first touch to earn a penalty kick. Erdei stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted past the goalkeeper for the win.

Notes

• Stony Brook earns a spot in the conference playoffs for the third consecutive year and the seventh time in the last eight seasons.
• The Seawolves moved into third place in the conference standings, one point behind UMass Lowell and Albany. Since UMass Lowell is not postseason eligible, the Seawolves would clinch a at least a two-seed and quarterfinal bye in the playoffs with two wins in their last two games.
• Erdei tied Duval for the team lead in goals with six and now has a team-best three game-winning goals.
• Stony Brook outshot Albany 9-7 for the match, while the Great Danes held a 5-4 edge in shots on goal.
• Heanue, Erdei and senior Lars Togstad (Trondheim, Norway) each had two shots.
• The Seawolves are 8-0-2 against Albany in their last 10 meetings and snapped Albany's six-game unbeaten streak.
• Stony Brook's eight wins are its most since 2012.

Up Next

The Seawolves will try to ride its momentum next Saturday at Binghamton at 7 p.m.