NEWTON, MA— The New York University Polytechnic Institute men's soccer team claimed the inaugural Lasell College Kick Off Classic Tournament title on Sunday afternoon at Taylor Field, going undefeated over the weekend with a 2-0 record. Lasell College finished second in the tournament, posting a 1-1 record for the weekend.
For the second day in a row Polytech's victory came in dramatic overtime fashion, defeating Green Mountain College, 2-1, when the game-winning goal was scored with just four seconds remaining in the second extra session. Joe Gabor (Warwick, NY) lifted Blue Jays over the Eagles by scoring the game-winner after 109 minutes and 56 seconds of play, off of a penalty kick.
Gabor was awarded All-Tournament Team distinctions for his efforts, and teammates Nick Michalczewski (Miami, FL) and Marcelo Escudero (Maywood, NJ) joined him with tournament honors.
For Green Mountain, Charly Thevenau (Spring, TX) and Chris Gaskin (Atlanta, GA) were selected to the All-Tournament team, along with goal keeper Nate Kishbaugh (Niskayuna, NY) whose heroics in the net kept Green Mountain alive throughout the double-overtime contest, making 15 saves in a phenomenal showing. Green Mountain left the tournament with a 0-2 record for the weekend.
The Blue Jays looked to take the lead at 15:10 when Nick Michalczewski (Miami, FL) received a long cross-field pass from Ryan Hartman (Brooklyn, NY) which he headed towards the opposite corner of the Eagles net. Kishbaugh lunged across the net to make an outstanding grab denying NYU the go-ahead goal.
Less than 30 seconds later, Green Mountain's Gaskin nearly scored as he issued a line drive shot from 25 yards out that ricocheted off the cross bar.
At 22:21, the scoreless tie broke when NYU Poly completed an identical play to the earlier setup, with Michalczewski heading in a crossed ball from Hartman which curved into the Eagles net, giving the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead.
With just 3:12 left in the first period, Green Mountain equalized the score as Charly Thevenau (Spring, TX) found the back of the Blue Jays net off of a free kick launched into position by Gaskin. The first half ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Kishbaugh was impressive in the first half with 10 total stops in net, and continued strong in the second half, denying a penalty shot, and the ensuing shot off the rebound, keeping the Eagles from falling into a deficit. The sophomore net-minder made five second half saves as the teams were forced into overtime.
The first overtime came and went without a change in score. The game looked like it may end in an impasse until Green Mountain was charged with a foul inside the penalty box which led to the game-ending penalty goal by Gabor.
In the second contest of the day, Lasell defeated Farmingdale State University of New York, 2-0. Lasell's Dan Hatch (Avon, MA) scored the game winning-goal and also assisted on the Lasers second tally of the contest.
It was a back-and-forth affair throughout the first period in the contest between the Lasers and the Rams. Farmingdale held a slight edge in shots (6-5) while both teams had two corner kick opportunities. Lasell's net minder Matthew Bruninghaus (Plymouth, MA) made five saves in the half while Ram goal keeper Ricky Meschkow (Plainview, NY) stopped three Laser shots.
The most noteworthy chance for either team to pull ahead came with just 1:48 left to play in the first stanza when Hatch released a bomb from 25 yards out on the right flank but with no reward as Meschkow dove to maintain the 0-0 tie through the half.
Lasell came out with renewed energy in the second period and it took just 36 seconds in the half for the Lasers to get on the board. Hatch dribbled through defenders in the eighteen yard box and blasted in the go-ahead goal for a 1-0 lead.
Three minutes later Laser defender Steve Petrin (Vernon, CT) sailed a pass down field to a waiting Hatch who quickly distributed a pass to a rushing Kyle Cronin (Weymouth, MA). Cronin broke past his defender and bent the ball around Meschkow who was coming out of net to challenge the shot. Cronin connected on the goal at 48:52 for a 2-0 Lasell lead.
Bruninghaus collected six saves and the shutout victory for the Lasers. Meschkow made eight stops in the setback for the Rams and was awarded All-Tournament honors for his efforts. Anthony Sammut (Farmingdale, NY) and Alex Mendolia (Smithtown, NY) were also selected to the All-Tournament team for Farmingdale.
From Lasell, senior defender Sean Fisher (Griswold, CT), freshman full back James Clancey (Chicopee, MA), and Hatch were chosen for spots on the All-Tournament Team.
The Lasers hold a 1-1 overall record this season and compete next at Rhode Island College on Wednesday, September 8th, at 6:00 p.m.
All-Tournament Team:
Sean Fisher- Lasell
James Clancey- Lasell
Dan Hatch- Lasell
Anthony Sammut - Farmingdale
Alex Mendolia- Farmingale
Ricky Meschkow-Farmingdale
Joe Gabor- NYU Polytech
Nick Michalczewski- NYU Polytech
Marcelo Escudero- NYY Polytech
Charly Thevenau- Green Mountain
Chris Gaskin- Green Mountain
Nate Kishbaugh- Green Mountain