Men’s Soccer Downed in OT in SJC Invitational Finale

Written by Andrew Capitelli (SJC-LI Sports Information)

Patchogue, NY| The St. Joseph's College (L.I.) men's soccer team dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to New Jersey City University (6-0) in the final game of the St. Joseph's College Invitational played at Danzi Stadium on Sunday afternoon. SUNY Plattsburgh, who defeated St. Joseph's (Brkln) 5-0 in the afternoon's opening match was crowned tournament champion after posting a 2-0 record with a +8 goal differential.

The Golden Eagles (0-4) struck first when senior Cody Kull pounced on loose ball in the box following a frantic corner in the 10th minute, but after trailing 1-0 at the break the Gothic Knights leveled the score in the 55th minute when Jose Salazar found Davauni Brown in the box, who directed a shot past SJC keeper Avery Gomez.

The sides traded chances over the next 20 minutes, but it was the Golden Eagles that tallied the next mark in the 77th minute when freshman Rayneri Ruiz scored his first-career collegiate goal. Junior Justin Busto, streaking down the right side, played a ball up to Ruiz, who cut in and finished left-footed from inside the box.

Seven minutes later, NJCU found its equalizer off the foot of Omar Ventura, who took a low cross in the box and finished calmly in front of goal. Ventura would notch his second goal of the game and his seventh of season in the 93rd minute to give the guests the sudden-death victory.

NJCU outshot the Golden Eagles 20-12 and forced Gomez to make five saves. SJC would generate more corners (4-2) and committed fewer fouls (12-9) on the afternoon.

The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday, September 17 when they open Skyline Conference play vs. Mount St. Mary College at 1:00 PM on the road. Follow live stats here.  

Tournament Awards

Omar Ventura, NJCU
Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Nick Economou, SUNY Plattsburgh
Most Outstanding Goalkeeper: Andrew LaClaustra, SUNY Plattsburgh