St. Lawrence University's Emmanuel Mbong (6) leaps high into the air looking for a header against a SUNYIT defender.  The nationally-ranked No. 7 St. Lawrence University men' s soccer team defeated SUNYIT 2-0 in the opening round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament.  (Eric Foote photo)  Game Gallery

St. Lawrence University fans celebrate with players after a 2-0 NCAA Tournament win over SUNYIT.

November 14: Amherst junior forward James Mooney scored his third goal of the game with 7:48 play in regulation time, lifting the Lord Jeffs to a 3-2 victory over St. Lawrence University in an NCAA Division III second round tournament game at St. Lawrence's Sandy MacAllaster Field Sunday afternoon. Amherst, 13-2-3, will move on in the tournament to play Bowdoin in the third round while St. Lawrence finishes its season with a 17-3-2 record. "We got into their game a little bit, which opened up our defense," said Saint coach Bob Durocher. "We lost our shape a couple of times and they were able to capitalize. "It's a tough way to end the year, but I am happy after last year's season," Durocher added. "We brought in some new guys and our older guys were fantastic in terms of leadership. Everyone kept their calm and poise throughout the season, even when we hit a rough stretch in week two. " The Saints had a 17-game win streak snapped with the loss to Amherst, the team which also knocked the Saints out of the 2008 NCAA tournament. The Saints led 1-0 at the half after senior captain James Stewart scored his second goal of the tournament off a restart when sophomore midfielder Sam DeMello hit a perfect ball into the 18 yard box and Stewart put it away for his third goal of the year 13:02 into the game. The play started when Sean Scott was taken down on a run up the sidelines following a Saint throw in. DeMello curled a pass into the goal mouth where Stewart scored on a near carbon copy of the first goal in Saturday's 2-0 win over SUNYIT in the first round of the tournament. Goalie Nate Goss-Woliner kept the Saints in front with a great one-on-one save, diving to smother a shot by Julien Aoyama with 28:07 to play in the first half, and Amherst goalie Lennard Kovacs stopped a point blank shot by Saint forward Adrian Bucksam with just over a minute to play in the first half. Mooney brought Amherst even at the 61:02 mark as he gathered in a long through pass from Ayoama and broke in alone on Goss-Woliner, putting the ball in off the post. The goal came following a Saint restart at the other end of the field as Ayoama cleared the ball ahead to Mooney after it caromed off the heel of a Saint attacker. That goal started a wild stretch in which the two teams scored three goals in a span of 2:06. Mooney scored his second of the game and seventh of the season when he redirected a cross by Aoyama past Goss-Woliner at 62:30, but the Saints came right back to tie it at 2-2 when senior Emmanuel Mbong took DeMello's pass across the box and one-timed his third goal of the season into the corner of the net at 63:08. The Saints nearly took the lead when Stewart's shot on a redirect off direct kick went just over the crossbar with 13:50 to go. Mooney then scored his third of the day and the eventual game winner as he volleyed the ball out of the air following a corner kick which was headed away by a Saint defender, but went right to Mooney in the middle of the box at 82:12. The Saints had several late chances to tie but Kovacs came up with a couple of big saves among his seven in the game and the Amherst defense blocked or deflected several shots in the box in the waning moments of the game. Goss-Woliner had three saves for the Saints which had a 21-9 edge in shots and a 7-2 edge in corner kicks.

November 13: The nationally-ranked No. 7 St. Lawrence University men' s soccer team defeated SUNYIT by the score of 2-0 in the opening round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament on Saturday at Sandy MacAllaster Field in Canton, NY. St. Lawrence (17-2-2) advances to play Amherst College, which defeated Plattsburgh State by the same score of 2-0 this afternoon. Meanwhile, the Wildcats' season comes to an end with a final record of 13-6-1. The majority of play throughout the first half was in the SUNYIT end as the Saints outshot the Wildcats by a sound 10-3 margin. However, goalkeeper Malick Faye kept the Scarlet and Brown off the scoreboard with three saves including a key stop on a scrum in front of the 6-yard box. St. Lawrence continued to press offensively and eventually broke through with a picturesque goal at the 48:24 mark off of a well-designed set play. Sophomore Sam DeMello delivered a beautifully struck direct kick to the top of the 6-yard box. Senior James Stewart slid into the box and re-directed a shot behind Faye for his third goal of the season to put the Saints on top, 1-0. With the Wildcats trying to create offensive chances for Diego Montaleza and Mario Gomez, the Saints were able to capitalize in transition and add an insurance goal in the 71st minute. DeMello again got the play started as he sprung junior Dan Marvin up the right sideline. Marvin cut into the 18-yard box and ripped a low shot past Faye inside the far post for a 2-0 lead. The goal was Marvin's sixth of the season and ensured the Saints' victory. St. Lawrence closed with a solid 20-6 advantage in shots and held a 7-2 edge in corner kicks. Faye made seven saves in goal for SUNYIT, while sophomore Nate Goss-Woliner made two stops for the Scarlet and Brown. The Saints will be in action again tomorrow, Sunday, November 14 at Sandy MacAllaster Field in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The game against the Lord Jeffs of Amherst is scheduled to begin at 1:00pm.

St. Lawrence University players and fans celebrate after the Saints scored their first of two goals in the second half en route to a 2-0 win over RPI, a Liberty League Title and punched their ticket to the NCAA tournament in front of nearly 1,000 fans.
(Eric Foote photo)  Game Gallery

RPI keeper Alex Penny, who was very busy all day, punches the ball out away from St. Lawrence University player streaking in.
 

Gregory Bennet (7) of SUNY Potsdam catches Plattsburgh ball carrier Matt Hamilton (5). (Anthony Levato photo)   Game Gallery

November 13: Plattsburgh State men's soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision to nationally ranked Amherst College on Saturday in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship hosted by Saint Lawrence University at Sandy MacAlester Field. The Cardinals end their season at 13-5-4 while the 24th-ranked Lord Jeffs (12-2-3) advance to face the Saints, who defeated SUNYIT 2-0, in the next round. Julien Aoyama and Alejandro Sucre scored goals 14 minutes apart in the first half, and the Amherst defense held on for the shutout. Both teams had nine shots, including four on goal apiece. This afternoon marked the final game for backs Bart Misiak, John LoGuirato, Gurtej Dhillon, midfielders Chris Taylor, Danny Byrnes and forward Chad Shennett. Forward Greg Wiley rounds out the Cardinals' Senior Class which has won nearly 70 percent of its games.

November 6: The Plattsburgh State men's soccer team is going to the Big Dance for the second straight season. The Cardinals defeated defending conference champion Brockport on penalty kicks, 5-4, on Saturday in a rematch of the 2009 State University of New York Athletic Conference title game held in Plattsburgh. This time here at Red Dragon Soccer Field, the Cardinals (13-4-4 overall) and Golden Eagles (13-2-3) officially played to a 1-1 draw but the fourth seed earns the SUNYAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament with its first conference crown since 2005. Pat Shaughnessy, Chris Taylor, Matt Hamilton and Most Valuable Player John LoGuirato represented Plattsburgh on the all-tournament team, followed by Christian Tychostop, goalkeeper Joe Marino, Mike Breman from runner-up Brockport. In addition, host Oneonta had Ian Tenzer, Nick Gregg while Fredonia's Ryan Smith, Bobby McGinnis rounded out the squad. In the penalty-kick shootout, the teams traded goals after the first two rounds before Brockport got the upper-hand in the third when Brian Duffy was successful in his attempt and LoGuirato was stymied by Marino. Then the tables were turned in the fourth as Plattsburgh's Andy Heighington made a diving stop on Jamey Crumb's low shot to the left post and Gurtej Dhillon converted for the Cardinals. Both teams converted their attempts in the fifth round to set the scene for the final. With the shootout at 4-all going into the fifth, Brockport's Jeff Wild was a high and wide right while Erik Hakim calmly made Plattsburgh's only attempt going past Marino's left to set off a wild celebration by Cardinal fans and players. Shaughnessy staked the Cardinals to a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute. Taylor sent a corner kick into the box for LoGuirato, who made a pass to a wide-open Shaughnessy who buried his team-leading ninth goal of the season. Brockport tied it in the 54th minute on Chris Auth's unassisted goal. He picked up a loose ball at the top of the penalty area after a failed Plattsburgh clear and curled a long shot inside the left post.
 

SUNY Potsdam's A.J. Ramirez (8) elevates for a head ball as teammate Bobby Kane (22) and a Plattsburgh player look on.  (Anthony Levato photo)   Game Gallery

October 23: The SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team showed grit and determination on Senior Day Saturday night, but were defeated 4-1 by Plattsburgh in a State University of New York Athletic Conference contest at Maxcy Hall Turf Field. Senior Ian Gadbaw (Norwood, N.Y.) tallied the lone goal for the Bears in the 89th minute, taking a rebound off a free kick that was deflected by senior Ian Glaser (Naples, N.Y.). It was the first of Gadbaw's career in his final game as one of eight seniors honored prior to the team's last contest of the season. "The guys worked hard, especially the seniors," Potsdam coach Adam Parker said. "No one quit this whole year, even though we've been out of the (SUNYAC) race for a few games." The Cardinals (12-4-1 overall, 6-3 SUNYAC) struck just under 10 minutes into the second half, scoring on a corner kick in the 54th minute. The ball made it through a large crowd just before Plattsburgh's Mike Payne put it in the back of the net. Plattsburgh, which outshot Potsdam 17-7 in the match, added insurance goals in the 74th, 81st and 83rd minutes. "When we went down one, we had to stretch it out defensively," Parker said. "It was just hard for us to keep up … the game was too open." In the first half, neither team truly threatened despite the Cardinals' 7-2 shot advantage. The two teams combined for just one shot on goal as much of the action took place between the boxes. Potsdam struck with a pair of good chances early in the second half as senior Jon Reeves (Macedon, N.Y.) and junior Chris Mack (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) each had good looks at the goal. Reeves was stopped on a free kick, while Mack, who was played through on a long ball, fired a shot saved in the corner by the keeper. "We had that free kick, and I don't know how the goalkeeper got it, he couldn't have seen it until late," Parker said. "If that had gone in, you never know … goals change games." Prior to the match, Parker, who is in his first year as head coach, recognized the team's eight seniors, including captains Reeves and Tim Ciampa (Castleton, N.Y.), the program's only fourth-year seniors. The Bears finish the 2010 season with a 2-13-2 overall record, including a 1-8 mark in SUNYAC play. Potsdam suffered eight one-goal losses during the season, including four in a row during a stretch from Oct. 8-16. With the high number of seniors departing due to graduation, Parker knows there is work to be done in the offseason and on the recruiting trail to prepare for the 2011 season. "I'm proud of the seniors," Parker said. "With the returners, we know what we have to do have a better record next year."

SUNY Potsdam midfielder Chris Mack (23) skies up trying to redirect a corner kick, but the ball is punched away by the SUNY New Paltz goalie. New Paltz scored in the 87th minute to defeat Potsdam 1-0. Junior forward Jimmy Altadonna scored the game-winner.  (Chris Whispell photo)  Game Gallery

October 16: The SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team suffered its fourth straight one-goal loss Saturday, falling 3-2 at Buffalo State in double overtime in State University of New York Athletic Conference action. After tying the game with just over 13 minutes left in regulation, the Bengals (3-11 overall, 1-6 SUNYAC) struck again in the 109th minute, sending the Bears to another gut-wrenching defeat in the closing minutes. "This one especially hurts because it was a more even game (than the others)," Potsdam coach Adam Parker said. "We had some good chances in overtime but couldn't capitalize. Hopefully we can learn how to get over the hump and win a close game." The Bears (2-12-1, 1-7) had taken a 2-1 advantage in the 68th minute on a header by senior Josh Mowery (Elizabethtown, N.Y) off a corner kick. Senior Brandon Calandra (Gloversville, N.Y.), who took the corner, earned his second assist of the season. Potsdam struck first in the eighth minute, when junior A.J. Ramirez (Glens Falls, N.Y.) took a header from junior Chris Mack (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) and headed the ball himself into the back of the net. The play was started on a long free kick from sophomore Victor Colasacco (Oceanside, N.Y.), who also received an assist. The Bengals then tied the game on a penalty kick in the 32nd minute. Sophomore goalkeeper Joe Glackin (Latham, N.Y.) stopped two shots for Potsdam, which outshot Buffalo State 4-1 in the two extra periods. Seniors Tim Ciampa (Castleton, N.Y.) and Bobby Kane (Glens Falls, N.Y.) added two shots apiece. Buffalo State had lost 10 consecutive matches entering Saturday's contest.

Potsdam's striker Bobby Kane (22) shields the ball from a Geneseo defenseman while setting up a scoring chance. The SUNY Potsdam men’s soccer team jumped out to an early lead, but SUNY Geneseo rallied for a 2-1 victory. Senior defender Jon Reeves scored for the Bears in the game’s sixth minute.
 (Chris Whispell photo)  Game Gallery

Two SUNY Canton players, Colby Young and Dennis Frost (17) go up for a head ball against SUNY Potsdam's Chris Nieves (13). (Anthony Levato photo)  Game Gallery
 

Skidmore’s Matt Kelsey is denied as Clarkson’s Kurt Knolle leaps over a Thoroughbred player to prevent his header from going towards the net.  Tough-luck Clarkson lost its second one-goal game of the season in a 2-1 overtime loss to  Skidmore College.  ((Taylor Caswell photo)  Game Gallery

A similar attempt for a shot on goal is also thwarted.

October 23: Hennie Bosman scored with 5:43 left in the second sudden-victory overtime period to lift Hamilton College to a 3-2 win against the Clarkson University Men's Soccer team in a Liberty League contest Saturday afternoon at Hamilton's Love Field. Clarkson is still in the playoff hunt at 6-5-2 overall and 1-4-0 in league, but will need to win its final two games and get some help to gain admittance to the conference tournament. Hamilton clinched a spot in the league tournament with its sixth straight win, moving to 9-1-2 overall and 4-1-0 in league. Soccer purists needed to look the other way in the first half as four goals were scored in the first half, all coming in a stretch of 20 minutes. The Continentals claimed a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute on a goal by Anthony Balbo, and then moved their advantage to 2-0 in the 29th minute when Leo Nizzi scored on a direct kick for his second goal this year. The Golden Knights roared back with two goals just over five minutes apart as freshman Nick Smith (Plaistow, NH) had his shot carom off the post, but the rebound went to Tobin Boomer (Louisville, KY) and he buried the ball in the back of the net for his third goal of the year. Senior Mark Secko (Shoreham, NY) tied the score in the 39th minute with his third goal of the season, as Elliott Carter (Ottawa, ONT) was credited with his team-high fifth assist. The Continentals played a man down for the final 15-plus minutes of regulation and entire overtime after Jon Sanford received his second yellow card of the afternoon. Despite the disadvantage, Hamilton had chances to win the game before Bosman's goal. Jesse Arroyave had a shot clang off the crossbar in the 83rd minute, and he missed an open net with 36 seconds left in the first overtime. Clarkson was actually playing with just nine men when Bosman scored his goal. Matt Konecnik (Waterford, NY) received a red card in the 103rd minute, and Jeremy Toscano (Brockport, NY) was issued his second yellow of the game and sent off just 11 seconds later. Eric Boole made five saves for the Continentals, and Saverino Spagnolo (Ottawa, ONT) stopped five shots as well for the Golden Knights. Hamilton held a 20-15 shot advantage. Clarkson took the only corner kick of the entire game.

October 9: Skidmore College spoiled Senior Day for the Clarkson University Men’s Soccer team by pulling out a 2-1 overtime victory in Liberty League action at Hantz Turf Field on Saturday afternoon. Orion Johnson connected for the Thoroughbreds’ game-winner, knocking in a low shot off an assist from Matt Kelsey 3:16 into the extra session. Skidmore (6-5-2, 1-2-1) took the initial lead in the contest with Sam Glickman’s unassisted goal on a low shot from the top of the box at 27:27. The Golden Knights came back to make it a 1-1 game in 51st minute. Senior Mark Secko (Shoreham, NY) started the play with a strong rush down the left sideline where he fired a shot on the Skidmore goal. The rebound came out in front where classmate Christopher Bates (Schenectady, NY) knocked in the loose ball for his second goal of the season. Clarkson held a slim edge in shot, 11-10, while the Thoroughbreds held the advantage in corner kicks, 5-3. Sophomore Scott Stuart (Ottawa, ONT) made three saves, while Skidmore’s Nick Peterson posted five stops in the win. The Knights, at 6-4-1 overall and 1-3 in the Liberty League, close out the regular season with five straight games beginning with the October 19 contest at SUNY Potsdam.

Clarkson University's Jeremy Toscano (4) dribbles past a fallen defender on the right wing for an attack on the Houghton net. (Chris Whispell photo) Game Gallery

Clarkson's Justin White (20) chases down a Houghton attacker.
 

(Left) North Country's Randy Danso the first goal scorer. (Right) Liam Gilbert and Ernest Afful celebrate Gilbert's game-winning goal.  (NCSN FIle Photos provided)

October 9: The North Country Men’s Soccer team turned in one of their finest all around performances of the season today, defeating Onondaga CC 7-1 at home in a commanding victory. The Saints possessed the ball throughout the match, using clever combination passing to pick apart the Onondaga defense and create a multitude of scoring chances. The Saints opened the scoring in the second minute, when sophomore center back Max Coupland found himself in an advanced wide position and delivered a driven cross into the box, where fellow sophomore Randy Danso finished off the knock down. Just seven minutes later, freshman forward Joe Hollis beat his defender on the left flank and crossed to sophomore center midfielder Earvin Esale, who finished first time on a well timed run into the penalty box. In the 20th minute, Esale finished again on a rebound of a shot from sophomore Nana Boakye, whose first time shot from another cross from Joe Hollis hit the left post, and bounced into the path of Esale. Onondaga got on the board in the 34th minute from a header from a cross from the right side. The goal sparked another Saints onslaught. NCCC came back just 2 minutes later and sent Danso through, who could have beaten the goalkeeper to finish, but instead unselfishly left the ball off to his right for sophomore Ernest Afful to finish on an open goal off his well timed run. 2 minutes later, Afful returned the favor, delivering a precision pass on a long cross to Danso, who finished first time to bring the half time score to 5-1. In the 55th minute, the Danso-Afful combination came to fruition again, with Danso again being the beneficiary of a perfectly paced Afful cross from the right side. In the 81st minute, the Saints rounded out the scoring when Joe Hollis beat his defender three times on the right hand side before picking out Afful on the back post for a simple finish on the head. “It is the type of performance I feel we’ve been capable of all year,” Coach Panik said after the game. “We had a great week of training and the guys came out full of confidence. Everyone was up for it, and everyone got involved in the attack. The passing was excellent, and the team as a whole played unselfishly for each other. When we do that, we are a tough team to beat.” The Saints are next in action at home Monday, October 11 at 1pm against Jefferson CC.

September 14: The North Country Men’s Soccer team played a non-region game against Middlebury College JV at NCCC. Middlebury JV won the game 2-0, with one goal coming in each half. The Saints started slowly, and Middlebury capitalized in the 7th minute, finishing an uncontested header off a cross on a free kick near the sideline. The game remained 1-0 until with 15 minutes to play Middlebury added a second goal when they took advantage of a Saints turnover in front of their own goal to add the final goal of the game. "We never really got into a rhythm offensively. We were unable to utilize our wide players, and it allowed them to control the midfield,” Coach Jeff Panik said after the game. We defended well for portions of the match, but struggled to create any good scoring chances. Our goalkeeper Jose Zuniga made some big saves to keep us in the game and give us a chance to make a push for it late, but we just came up short.”