Utica Snags No. 2 Seed; Naz, Stevens and Houghton Win

11/2/2013 9:19:00 PM

Utica 2, Elmira 1
The Utica College men's soccer team downed conference rival, Elmira College 2-1 in a thrilling Empire 8 Conference match up Saturday night at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. With the win, the Pioneers lock up the number two seed in the conference tournament and will host a first round game at home on Wednesday against Ithaca College.

UC jumped out to an early lead in the third minute as senior Kevin McAllister put in a rebound off the post for his team-leading seventh goal of the season. Classmate Jonathon Peterson added to the Utica lead in the final minute of the first half off a great individual effort. Peterson played the ball to himself to get around one defender, then played a ball under the arm of the Elmira keeper for his fourth of the season.

Senior Anthony Caruso was rock solid in net for the Pioneers, making a number of good saves from point blank to keep the Soaring Eagles scoreless. Elmira was able to find the back of the net however, with 1:53 left to play as Ryan Limero fired a long shot from 23 yards out that found its way just inside the left post. It was not enough, however, as the Utica defense shut down the opposition, not allowing the ball past midfield the rest of the game.

Caruso made five saves, while his counterpart, Nick Lapinski, had four stops. UC will make its first trip to the Empire 8 Tournament since 2010.


Nazareth 5, Alfred 1
Nazareth routed visiting Alfred 5-1 in a men's Empire 8 Conference soccer game on Saturday. Senior Scott Duarte scored three goals while classmateTommy Rocco and freshman Lucas Bennett each tallied one goal.

With the victory, the Golden Flyers improve to 3-3 in the Empire 8 and 6-10 overall. The Saxons drop to 1-5 in conference contests and 5-12 overall. Nazareth needs Utica (3-2 Empire 8 and 8-9 overall) to defeat Elmira (2-3 Empire 8 and 7-9 overall) to earn the fourth spot in the upcoming Empire 8 Tournament, November 6th and 9th.

The first half featured four goals, including two by Duarte. Duarte scored his first goal of the season 13:32 into the contest after receiving a pass from classmate Simon Mounsdon. Mounsdon dribbled down the left wing before sending a well-placed pass inside the box to Duarte. Duarte ripped his shot to the left of Alfred's goalie. Duarte added his second goal about five minutes later after receiving another pass by Mounsdon. Duarte was left in front of the Saxons' goal with a defender covering the net after Alfred's goalie, Sam Guy, left the net to challenge for the ball.

Alfred's Richard Lander temporarily trimmed the Saxons' deficit to one goal with just over four minutes to play in the half. Lander took advantage of a defensive miscue as he intercepted a Nazareth pass at the top of the Golden Flyers' box. Lander's shot was over Nazareth goalie, Nate Ripic's outstretched arms.

It took the Golden Flyers only 70 seconds to reclaim their two-goal advantage as freshman Lucas Bennett popped a shot over Alfred's sliding goalie. Bennett's attempt trickled over the goal line before the Saxon defender was able to stop it. Sophomore Ben Garcia was credited with the assist on the goal.

Both teams had additional scoring opportunities in the opening 45 minutes. With just over 23 minutes remaining in first half, Omar Mohamed broke away from the Golden Flyer defender inside the Nazareth box. Ripic came out of the net to challenge the shot, which forced Mohamed to try to chip the ball over his head. Mohamed got his shot off but his attempt was over the crossbar by about a foot to allow Nazareth to keep its two-goal lead. With about 15 minutes remaining in the half, sophomore Kieran McCoy's shot attempt was narrowly over the crossbar. McCoy charged to the net and redirected a cross as he slid toward the Alfred goal.

In the second half, Nazareth extended its lead to 4-1 on a free kick opportunity. Senior Jason Renfro placed the free kick around the six-yard box to Duarte. Duarte initially headed the ball to gain control then headed it again to the feet of Rocco. Rocco's goal came at the 58:28 mark. Less than eight minutes later, the Golden Flyers stretched their lead to four goals after Duarte scored off a rebound from a saved shot by classmate Luke Elston.

Ripic thwarted an Alfred free-kick opportunity with 30 minutes to play in regulation as he tipped the attempt just over the crossbar. The shot was from just outside the 18-yard box.

Nazareth finished with advantages in shots (21-12) and corner kick opportunities (6-2). Ripic finished with six saves to earn the victory. Sam Guy played the first 75:02 in Alfred's net and allowed all five of the Golden Flyers' goals and was credited with three saves. Matthew Unick relieved Guy in the final 14:58. Unick made two saves.


Stevens 2, Ithaca 1
The nationally ranked No. 4/5 Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team posted a 2-1 victory on Senior Day against Empire 8 Conference rival Ithaca College on Saturday in Hoboken. Stevens closes out the regular season with a 14-1-1 overall record and will host the Empire 8 Championship Tournament beginning next Wednesday.

The Ducks prevailed in the match due to two scores from sophomore Joe Cellitti. Cellitti tallied his first marker 9:53 into the contest on a great individual effort. He battled with an Ithaca defender within the 18-yard box before setting up a low blast from right to left past Bombers' goalkeeper Jordan Gentile. Another Ithaca defender was close to the play and tried to boot the ball off the end line but was too late and sent already destined goal into the back of the net.

Cellitti then split the Ithaca defense on a great through ball from senior Christian Grapel in the 27th minute for his second goal of the half to give Stevens a 2-0 edge.

Ithaca found the back of the net midway through the second half off a free kick from Max Bjork to Casey Williamson in the 67th minute.


Houghton 3, St. John Fisher 1
The Houghton Men's Soccer team yet again performed at a high level against their Saturday opponents, the Cardinals of St. John Fisher. The Highlanders' 3-0 victory over the Cardinals, improves their record to an impressive 14-2-1 on the season.

Defensively, goalie Jacob Dunnett was not seeing a lot of action at the net from the Cardinals. Even so, Dunnett had 2 saves in today's game, allowing for no opponent goals

The Highlanders made the magic happen by scoring 2 goals in the first half, and one goal in the second half. The first goal of the game was scored in the 18th minute when Mitch Beattie was able to chip the ball over the keeper from 10 yards. Paul Seddon was credited with an assist on Beattie's goal. It was then 17 minutes later when Kevin Miranda scored on a rebound from his first shot.

These 2 goals were not the only goals accounted for on today's game. The third goal of the game was scored in the middle of the second half; Tyler Ashley scored while Miranda was credited with the assist.