Stevenson Tops Men’s Soccer in Gary Smith Invitational Finale

Patchogue, NY| The St. Joseph's College (L.I.) men's soccer team fell 2-1 to Stevenson University on Sunday afternoon in the finale of the third annual Gary Smith Invitational Tournament held at Danzi Stadium. After defeating Randolph-Macon College 2-1 in overtime on Saturday, the Golden Eagles had the opportunity to be named tournament champions for the first time, but instead fell to 1-4 on the season, while Stevenson improved to 3-3 with the win.

Despite outshooting the Mustangs 8-4 in the first half, the Golden Eagles fell behind in the 18th minute when Zachary Martin threaded a through-ball to a cutting Colin Horne, who chipped the ball past St. Joseph's keeper Avery Gomez for his first goal of the season. The Golden Eagles would generate the next four shots, but a first-half equalizer wasn't in the making.

After a slow moving initial 10 minutes in the second half, freshman Kyle Conway served up a cross from the right side that sophomore Justin Busto slid into and directed into the back of the net to tie the game at one. The 58th minute goal and the assist were the first points of both Busto and Conway's collegiate careers.

In the 66th minute, a routine throw in for Stevenson turned into a St. Joseph's nightmare after it clipped Nick Adams and bounced between Gomez's legs to put the Mustangs back up by one. Busto had a chance to draw the game level again in the 72nd minute, after he ran onto a ball at the top of the box before firing high of the goal. Stevenson would fend off a couple more St. Joseph's opportunities before claiming the 2-1 win and the tournament title.

In spite of losing the game by a close margin, the Golden Eagles outshot the Mustangs 20-8 and generated nine corners to the guests' one. Gomez was forced into making just two saves on the afternoon in what as a strong defensive showing for the tournament hosts.

In the other match of the day, Randolph-Macon College brushed off FDU-Florham with a 2-0 victory. Randolph-Macon's Brian Breslin and FDU's AJ Carnavale joined St. Joseph's Carlos Diaz and Gaetano Innamorato, and Stevenson's Reid Hawkins on the All-Tournament Team. Stevenson's Logan McCarron was tournament MVP.

The Golden Eagles return to action on Tuesday, September 15 when they travel to Great Neck, NY to face Merchant Marine Academy. Kick-off is set for 6:00 PM. Visit sjcgoldeneagles.com for live stats.