North Branch, NJ -- RVCC and County College of Morris played to a 0-0 double overtime draw in Randolph. The Golden Lions improved to 1-4-2 while CCM's record moved to 5-3-1.
After an opening 45 minutes where RVCC didn't record a single shot on goal, the second half started equally dire until Rafael Roman beat the offside trap and was through on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat but didn't even get a shot after he tripped on the ball and fell down. Ryan Hamblin saved 5 shots in regulation to keep the Golden Lions in the game.
For the 4th straight game, RVCC went to overtime to decide the match. Late in the first overtime, Anthony Hernandez controlled a pass, dribbled past a defender then was taken down by CCM goalkeeper Brandon Stevens sending the Golden Lions to the penalty spot. RVCC's premature celebrations looked even more ridiculous after Andrew Williams banged his shot off the outside of the right goal post. The two teams played out the remaining extra time, CCM having the better chances but couldn't find the back of the net.
Ryan Hamblin continued his strong play in goal earning his first career shutout but his effort was overshadowed by Tony Chaparro whose tireless defending almost singlehandedly earned the draw for RVCC.
After the game, Gerry Montague pulled no punches evaluating his team's performance, "Today was a reminder of what this program has become known for over the past few seasons, it's everything me and Joe (Colodne) have been fighting to change. We talked at length that as well as we played against Camden, we lost. We have nothing to show for it, there are no moral victories, we lost. We needed to come here desperate to win, not thinking a loss against a nationally ranked team magically made us unbeatable. How a one-win team who couldn't do a single thing we've trained every single day has the gall to be cocky is a mystery. All season, we've been defined by our work ethic, today only 2 guys got it right, the other 18 embarrassed us. They have a massive point to prove on Thursday".
The Golden Lions (1-4-2) are back in action on Thursday, October 2nd when they host the Middlesex County College Blue Colts. Kickoff is 3:30pm in North Branch.