Stevens returns to E8 championship with 2-0 victory over Fisher

Stevens returns to E8 championship with 2-0 victory over Fisher

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Charles O'Brien

HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 3, 2017)  – Freshman Cristiano Hocken snapped a scoreless tie with a header in the final seconds of the first half to send the Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team into the Empire 8 Conference championship match with a 2-0 victory over St. John Fisher College 2-0 Friday evening.

Senior Jacob Ulasevich provided a little breathing room for the Ducks in the 73rd minute, following up on a Kevin Brito strike that rang off the left post, for his second goal of the season.

With the wind blowing into his face, junior Aaron Henry made five second-half saves for Stevens to post his sixth clean sheet of the season. Stevens did not allow a Fisher shot over the opening 45 minutes. With the win, the Ducks improved to 10-6-2 on the season and avenged last season's semifinal loss to the Cardinals.

Junior Joe Catalfamo made eight saves for St. John Fisher, who fell to 8-6-4.

Pivotal Point
  • With the seconds ticking away, the teams were locked in a scoreless battle, with the swirling DeBaun Athletic Complex winds looming to slow down the Stevens offense in the second half.
  • Junior Andrew Masur was fouled and received a free kick from the edge of the attacking third.
  • On the restart, the midfielder sent a ball high above the pack of players that the wind flattened just outside the six-yard box. 
  • Catalfamo drifted to his left to play the ball, but Hocken found a way to head the ball into the net for his third goal of the season. It was the freshman's second game-winner of the season.

Inside the Numbers
  • In victory, Stevens crossed the 10-win plateau for the 17th straight season.
  • The Ducks improve to 17-0-2 in Empire 8 postseason play.
  • Stevens held a 22-8 edge in shots and a 10-5 mark in shots on goal.
  • Junior Haddy Abdelhady led all players with four shots.
  • Senior Jonas Melendez and Ulasevich registered two shots on goal to lead Stevens, while Michael Piccarreto had two for the Cardinals.
  • The Ducks earned four corners, while St. John Fisher did not earn a single corner.
  • A physical match from the opening whistle, the teams combined for 25 fouls and four yellows.

From the Sidelines
  • "Delighted with the hard-fought win."
  • "Tonight was very much a team performance. We are excited to be challenging for the title tomorrow on our home field."

Unsung Hero
  • "Aaron Henry made big saves at critical moments."

Up Next
  • Stevens will take on The Sage Colleges for the league's automatic spot in the national tournament.
  • Sage came-from-behind to defeat Nazareth College 2-1 in overtime in Friday's opening match.
  • The Ducks rallied to defeat the Gators 4-2 on October 7 in the first meeting between the programs.
  • Live stats and video links on StevensDucks.com.