MARCY, N.Y. – The SUNYIT Men's Soccer Team (16-1-1, 7-1 NEAC) advanced to the NEAC Championship Game with a 6-1 win over the 4-seeded Cazenovia Wildcats in the NEAC Semifinal on Saturday. The top-seeded Wildcats held a 2-1 lead at the half, then extended their lead in the second as senior Diego Montaleza (New York, N.Y. / MLK) recorded his second hat-trick of the year.
1st Half
The Wildcats got their first good chance of the game 10 minutes into the first half. Senior Josh Kimber (Chittenango, N.Y. / Chittenango) drew a foul just outside the penalty box, but his ensuing free kick sailed high.
A few minutes later, though, SUNYIT broke through. Sophomore Bazo Coulibaly (Bronx, N.Y. / Kennedy) netted the game's first goal, receiving a nice touch-pass from freshman Vincent Seruhungu (Syracuse, N.Y. / Fowler) for an easy dunk just in front of the goal. Seruhungu controlled the ball on the left side of the box, making a nice move to get in position to make the pass to Coulibaly.
Later in the half, Francesco Tine (Chatham, N.Y. / Chatham) had a chance at extending the Wildcat lead. Tine stole the ball after a misplay, but his lob shot sailed just over and to the left of the crossbar.
SUNYIT's defense has been historically good this season, to the point that a 1-0 lead might've seemed insurmountable. The visiting Wildcats must not have thought that way on Saturday, though, as Cazenovia stunned SUNYIT with a header by Jeremy Kuetell 23:27 into the game. Kuetell's header was just out of the reach of SUNYIT keeper and NEAC Player of the Year Malick Faye (Bronx, N.Y. / MLK).
Despite allowing just 6 goals to that point all season, SUNYIT was unfazed by the score and kept the pressure on. The Wildcats out shot Cazenovia 10 to 3 in the first half, and eventually their aggressiveness paid off when Tine was dragged down inside the penalty box at the 32-minute mark.
NEAC goals-leader Diego Montaleza (New York, N.Y. / MLK) would capitalize for the Wildcats, scoring his 13th goal of the season on the resulting penalty kick to give SUNYIT the lead at 2-1 with 13:02 left in the first half.
2nd Half
The Wildcats extended their lead to 2 goals after senior Aaron Minnamon (Palmyra, N.Y. / Palmyra-Macedon) punched one over the goalie's head, leading to a tip-in goal from Josh Kimber.
Kimber would find the back of the net for the second time on the day about 15 minutes later, as he scored off the assist from junior Matt Arcidiacono (Oneonta, N.Y. / Oneonta).
Despite a comfortable lead, the Wildcats took nothing for granted and kept their feet on the gas pedal. As it often has this season, that directive took the form of Montaleza, who scored his second goal of the game only 5 minutes later on a blast from just outside the penalty box.
Finally, Montaleza capped the day with less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation, completing his hat trick with a rip to the opposite corner, beating backup goalie Rasheem Campbell.
In between games, the NEAC All-Conference Award winners were honored, including Goalkeeper and Player of the Year Malick Faye (Bronx, N.Y. / MLK) and Coach of the Year Peterson Jerome. Pictures of the ceremony and game will be available shortly.
The Wildcats will now advance to the NEAC Championship game for the third time in four years, to take place tomorrow at 1:00 pm.
