AMBLER, PA -- Temple and Fordham each needed a win to boost their hopes for a bid in the six-team Atlantic 10 Conference Men's Soccer Championship heading into Sunday's match at Ambler Field. The teams played hard, but neither found the back of the net and settled for a scoreless tie. The Owls improved their record to 5-10-1 overall and 3-3-1 in conference play. The Rams are now 8-3-5 and 2-2-3.
Both goalkeepers, Temple's Tony Pratico and Fordham's Justin Burse, recorded four saves. It was Pratico's second shutout of the season while Burse notched his seventh on the 2005 campaign.
Temple had the better of the play offensively, out-shooting Fordham 12-5 in the match. The Owls held an 11-4 shot advantage in regulation with each team posting one shot in the second overtime. TU also had eight corner kicks to Fordham's five.
Senior midfielder Tony Donatelli had the best chance to score in the contest. The Owls' scoring leader drilled a direct kick from 25 yards out with just over a minute to play in the second overtime which Burse deflected off the cross bar.
Freshman defender Jim Suevo almost tallied the game-winner at the end of regulation when he headed a cross into the left post.
Temple ends the regular season at home next weekend with matches against Xavier on Friday (2:30 p.m.) and Dayton on Sunday (1:00 p.m.) The Owls will most likely have to win both in order to secure a spot in the A-10 Tournament which will be held in St. Louis starting November 10.
