2016 Men's Soccer All-Tournament Team and MVP
Following the Empire 8 Men’s Soccer Tournament and the naming of the Most Valuable Player, the entire 2016 All-tournament team has been announced.
St. John Fisher – Matthew Kaiser (MVP), Glen Roschetzky, Justin Ferron and Joe Catalfamo
Houghton – Andrew Bussey, Jesse Toth, Tyler Ashley
Ithaca – Sam Boylan and Scott Halpern
Stevens – Andrew Masur and Nicholas Cousillas
Kaiser was named the championship's most valuable player after leading the fourth-seeded Cardinals with two goals in the title game to claim the program’s first ever E8 championship. Kaiser recorded Fisher’s first goal in the first half as he tucked away a free kick from just outside the box and then netted the game-winner in the 81st minute. Kaiser and the Cardinal’s played top-seeded Stevens to a scoreless draw in the semifinal and advanced by virtue of penalty kicks, 6-5, to eliminate the Ducks from the tournament for the first time since they joined the conference in 2007.
Ferron’s and
Roschetzky’s penalty shootout goals advanced Fisher to the E8 title for the first time since 2007 and third time overall. Ferron scored on Fisher’s first PK attempt to five the Cardinals a 1-0 edge. In the top of the seventh round Roschetzyk drilled a shot just under the crossbar to give the Cardinals a 6-5 advantage.
Catalfamo made a combined nine saves throughout the tournament to pick up a win and a tie. He stopped four saves against top-seeded Stevens in 110 minutes to force a PK shootout and earn his third shutout of the season. During the shootout he made a diving save to his left to keep in 2-2 through three rounds. In the title game, Catalfamo made five saves.
Bussey put three of his five shots on goal during the semifinal against Ithaca. Then in the championship he really stepped up giving Houghton an early 2-0 lead. He put the
Highlanders on the scoreboard just 13 minutes into the game and then doubled the lead nine minutes later after breaking away for a one on one shot with Catalfamo.
Toth helped power the Highlander offense as Houghton fired off 16 shots against Ithaca and took four corner kicks. On the defensive end, Toth helped limit the Bombers to seven shots. In the championship game, Toth was in control again moving the ball up field to help Houghton register 13 shots.
Ashley assisted on the game-winning goal in the semifinal against Ithaca which sent Houghton to the title game for the first time. He put four of his six shots throughout the tournament on goal.
Boylan took one shot in the semifinal but more importantly helped keep Houghton scoreless through the first 56 minutes.
Halpern assisted on Ithaca’s goal in the 70 minute of the semifinal. He received a ball from Zachary Lichtman and then passed it off to Alex Brosnihan to knot the game at one goal apiece. Halpern also put all three of his shots on goal.
Cousillas and
Masur helped lead Stevens to a postseason tie. The top seeded Ducks battled for 110 minutes of scoreless soccer against fourth seeded Fisher. The duo and the rest of the Ducks squad held the Cardinal’s to eight shots with only one on target. Masur took three shots throughout the game including a header in the 82nd minute but was denied by Catalfamo.