Misha Carrel-Thomas's goal with 9:42 left in regulation – UR's first goal in over 300 minutes of play – against the University of Chicago evened the score at one, and UR went on to tie the Maroons through two overtime periods in a rainy night conference game at Fauver Stadium on Friday night.
UR held a 18-10 shot advantage through 110 minutes. But in a game where there was more fouls accrued than shots (35 fouls to 30 shots) and field conditions were poor, chances weren't easy to come by – Chicago had just nine shots in the game.
Rochester's tying goal came off a free kick 20 yards from goal. Jimmy Parrinello tapped the ball to Josh Richards, who teed up the ball for Carrel-Thomas, whose ensuing shot broke through the Chicago wall and past Chicago's Chris Guisto into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Chicago's goal came with exactly 14 minutes left in the first half, when Laird converted a corner kick taken by forward Alex Clifford, heading the ball past Scott Garfing into the bottom right hand corner of the goal. It was Laird's sixth assist of the season and Laird's first goal for the year.
UR had two good header opportunities in the first half to get on the board. In the 20th minute, a header by midfielder Alex Osuch off midfielder Josh Richards's cross went just high. With 3 minutes left in the half, midfielder Scott Zorn's header off defender Tom Sorrentino's cross also sailed just off over the crossbar.
In the second half, the Yellowjackets turned up a couple good opportunities as well, spending a lot of time in Chicago's box. Steve Welles shot from six yards out was blocked by a defender in the 54th minute, and then just a minute later Jake Cargill's shot was also blocked inside the box.
Chicago, meanwhile, had limited chances. With just over 28 minutes remaining, however, forward Yoni Einhorn almost slipped another one through for the Maroons, making a move at the top left corner of the box and taking a shot that sailed just high of goal.
A free kick in the 68th minute taken by Parrinello proved to be another near score. Parrinello's initial shot was blocked by the wall of Chicago players, but the ball came right back to him – his ensuing one-timer went wide.
In overtime, Welles almost got the Yellowjackets the victory at two different points in the first extra period, putting a hard-driven shot on goal that was saved and later crossing in a ball that was almost put in the back of the net midway through the first 10 minutes.
Chicago also had its own opportunities, including a free kick right outside the box, taken by Clifford that was saved by diving UR goalie Mike Moranz who came in at the start of the second half.
UR moves to 6-1-5, while Chicago moves to 7-4-1. Rochester is still winless in league play.
