Despite holding a 12-1 advantage in corner kicks and outshooting Holy Cross by a 20-9 margin, the American University men's soccer team was unable to register a goal in a scoreless 2OT draw on Saturday afternoon at Reeves Field. The draw, coupled with the weekend's other Patriot League results, earns the Eagles a berth in the upcoming four-team PL Tournament.

In the first half, American (6-7-3, 3-1-2 Patriot League) generated six corner kicks to zero for Holy Cross (3-10-4, 0-4-2 PL), although the Eagles generated few legitimate shots on target. Moving into the second period, it was evident the Eagles picked up the intensity, earning its first good scoring chance when Nick Kapus fed a long pass to a streaking Alassane Kane with 35 minutes left in regulation. On the play, a Holy Cross defender was right in stride with Kane, who was unable to get a shot off as Crusader goalkeeper Evan Polanik came out to cover up the ball.

Unquestionably the best scoring opportunity for the Crusaders in regulation came in the 74th minute when a cross was headed on goal by Kyle Miller. AU goalkeeper Matt Makowski made a lunging save on the shot, although Holy Cross' Steven Stefanak was right there for the rebound which appeared to be destined for the back of the net. Makowski, however, jumped up quickly and made another spectacular save in the matter of seconds to keep the match scoreless.

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American continued to dictate the action and pressure the Crusader defense with the Eagles' best chance late in regulation coming on a close-range shot by Jack Scott. Polanik was up for the challenge, keeping the match scoreless, and forcing the match to sudden victory overtime.

The first 10-minute overtime session saw the best back-and-forth action in the match, as both squads opened it up attempting to find the game-winner. Midway through the first period, Michael Roberts crossed a pass to Jamie Davin, although his header sailed wide. Less than a minute later, in the 96th minute, American's Mike Worden earned a great chance from the left side, although his shot was knocked away by Polanik. After Polanik's save, AU held the ball in the offensive zone, and seconds later, nearly ended the match when Seth Goldman's header bounced off the ground and into the bottom of the crossbar. In a scramble in front of the goal, Holy Cross was able to clear the zone and keep the match scoreless.

In the 99th minute, Holy Cross had its best overtime opportunity when Steven Stefanak raced down the left side of the field in transition and had a breakaway in the open field. Makowski came out and made the tremendous sliding game-saving stop on Stefanak's shot.

The action slowed down in the second overtime session, as the Crusaders registered the only shot in the period. The match ended in a scoreless draw, the second straight for the Eagles which played Alabama-Birmingham to the same score on Tuesday afternoon at Reeves Field.

For the match, AU outshot the Crusaders by an 11-shot margin, although the shots on goal total was only 6-5 in favor of the Eagles. Worden led American with a game-high seven shots, two of which were on frame. Kane added two shots on goal on four total strikes. Eli Dennis and Kapus each recorded three shots for American.

Makowski was solid in net for the Eagles, making five saves and earning his fourth shutout of the season. The junior has now not allowed a goal in his last 125:28 of action, and as a team, the Eagles are riding a 235:28 scoreless streak.

"We keep saying you have to make your luck, but we've created a lot of chances and, for some reason, we haven't been able to find the goal," remarked Head Coach Todd West. "I thought Holy Cross did a lot of defending today, and we did a good job of being aggressive and getting our opportunities. If we keep creating chances like we're doing, I think the goals will come."

Three of the last four matches for American have resulted in scoreless double overtime contests. In fact, the Eagles have played into double overtime in five of their last six matches, as they hold a 1-1-3 record in those 2OT games.

Prior to the match, American's five senior student-athletes -- Davin, Jon Freimark, Kapus, David Menzie and Worden -- were honored in a "Senior Day" ceremony. The senior class has been part of a 15-6-6 Patriot League record over the last four seasons, which included a PL co-regular season title in 2008 and an appearance in last year's conference championship match.

The Eagles will close out the regular season next Saturday, November 6 at Colgate. Match time from Hamilton, N.Y. is scheduled for 4 p.m.