Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Red-shirt senior Brad Patke made a career-high 12 saves while sophomore Dave Rostad netted an early goal as the Red Raider soccer team opened its 2008 season with a 1-1 draw against the Vulcans of California (Pa.) University in a fiery contest Saturday night at David See Field. The two teams combined for seven yellow cards in the game.

Shippensburg (0-0-1) opened the scoring in the 7th minute, as Rostad collected a touch from senior captain Brad Anderson and ripped a beautiful volley into the top right corner of the goal to give the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead.

The momentum was unfortunately short-lived, as California (1-0-1) countered in the 12th minute when Mike Luecke capitalized on a Vulcan free kick by heading in a cross from Felipe Souza to even the score at 1-1.

The physical mayhem between the two teams was rampant on a humid and extremely muggy evening, as the card display began in the 13th minute following a physical Vulcan foul on Shippensburg senior Mark Thompson. California incurred three yellow cards in the first half while the two teams finished the game being whistled for a total of 43 fouls.

The Vulcans nearly had Luecke free on a breakaway in the final minute of the first overtime, but the attempt was thwarted by a whistle being blown due to an injury clear across the field. On the ensuing free kick that was moved all the way outside the Shippensburg box, Patke made a stellar stop on Luecke to send the game into a second overtime period.

Patke preserved the tie by making another spectacular stop in the 103rd minute to block a bending shot from Souza. His 12-save performance marked a full-circle comeback after having his 2007 season cut short by a season-ending injury that occurred just four minutes into his first game of the year.

Shippensburg will return to action on Wednesday when it opens its conference schedule against the Golden Bears of Kutztown. Game time from David See Field is set for 7 p.m.