La Plume, PA –
Abreham Kittel (Trumansburg, NY/Charles O. Dickerson) scored an unassisted goal in the 48
th minute of Tuesday night's men's soccer opener at Keystone College to lift the Giants to a 1-0 victory over visiting Wells College in non-conference action.
Adam Zbiciak (Saint Johns, MI/St. Johns) made six saves in goal to record the shutout victory for the hosts.
Both teams had several chances in the first half with Keystone (1-0) holding a 9-4 advantage in shots including a 3-2 edge in efforts on goal, but neither side was able to forge a lead in the opening 45 minutes of play. Zbiciak kept the game scoreless with the best save of the period, diving to his left to parry an 18-yard rocket wide of the goalpost.
Keystone broke the deadlock just 2:13 into the second half as Kittel pounced on a loose ball following a mix-up at the backend of the Wells defense and slammed the loose ball into the back of the vacant net to give the Giants a 1-0 advantage.
Zbiciak made an outstanding, one-handed save on a direct free kick from 24 yards out just under 10 minutes later to keep Keystone in front. The Giants had a pair of good looks of their own at the other end over the next 15 minutes, but Express goalkeeper Michael Sciotti was up to the task with a pair of fine saves of his own.
Neither team was able to find the back of the net the rest of the way, with Keystone's
Eddy Enowbi (Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook) bending a 20-yard shot just wide of the far post with just over 10 minutes remaining to account for the best chance for either team down the stretch.
Keystone finished the game with a 20-13 advantage in shots and a 7-6 edge in shots on goal. Wells (0-1) held a slim, 5-4 edge in corner kicks on the night.
Zbiciak and Sciotti finished with six saves apiece for their respective sides.
Keystone returns to the field on Friday evening with a non-conference game against Bethany College that will be played at Johns Hopkins University. Opening kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Baltimore, Maryland.
