BLOOMFIELD, NJ: The men's soccer team opened their conference schedule Saturday afternoon with a 2-2 tie against the Chestnut Hill College Griffins (1-2-1, 0-0-1 CACC) at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield.  While a tie is always better than a loss, this was a match Coach Falloon's squad will look at as one that got away. 

The rain-soaked turf made for a slick playing field in the early going, with both clubs struggling to get into the flow offensively through the first 45 minutes.  The Deacons defense was rock solid throughout the first half, minimizing the Griffins' scoring opportunities and dominating play at both ends of the pitch in a scoreless first half. 

When the second half began, it was clear the Deacons offense was finally starting to find its rhythm, and it was only a matter of time before one of their scoring chances found the back of the net.  It finally happened in the 61'st minute, when forward Edwin Ventura punched in a cross from Carlos Brufau for the game's first goal, giving the Deacons a 1-0 advantage. 

The lead expanded to a pair of goals when midfielder Andy Aguilar capitalized on a direct kick awarded to the Deacons, bending it just inside the far post to bring the score to 2-0 just a few short minutes later.  But the lead would be short lived, as a foul in the box awarded the Griffins a penalty kick.  Fullback Maurice Blanton made the Deacons pay for the misque knocking in his third penalty kick goal of the season, beating a sprawling Steven Alonso to bring the Griffins to within a goal.

Just a few short minutes later, the Deacons committed another costly foul within the box, this time a handball, awarding the second penalty kick of the half to Chestnut Hill.  Blanton beat Alonso again, knotting the score at 2-2 with just over 25 minutes left to play. 

The clubs frantically tried to break through with the deciding goal, but it would prove to no avail as the final horn sounded.  Each team had their share of chances in the extra frames, but the Deacons were able to hold off a late barrage from the Griffins to preserve the draw. 

"Overall I thought we played really well as a team," head coach Peter Falloon said.  "We had the two fouls in the box, and that's certainly a tough way to let a game slip away.  But I was really pleased with the way our defense performed, and how well we worked together as a team."

The Deacons take to the field again Tuesday with a match against St. Thomas Acquinas College.  The opening whistle is set for 3:30 PM.