Old Westbury, N.Y. - Graduate student Javier Gallardo (Sevilla, Spain) scored his fourth goal of the season to lift the NYIT men's soccer team to their second East Coast Conference Championship in the last four seasons. The score remained as the Bears defeated the Pioneers of LIU Post 1-0.
Gallardo scored the game-winning goal in the third minute of Saturday's contest at President's Stadium. Ivan Rico (Sevilla, Spain) dished out the assist, which brought goalkeeper Jesper Malmstrom out of the box and allowed Gallardo to beat him on the nearside.
Rico was later named the ECC Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Gallardo earned the honor in 2011.
The Bears defense did the rest as keeper Jonathan Rico (Elmhurst, N.Y.) made four saves on four shots faced.
The Pioneers out-shot the Bears 14 to 9 and held a +6 corner kick advantage (6-0). Rico earned the win to improve to 11-2-1 on the season. Malmstrom faced the loss with two saves made on three shots on goal. He is now 13-3-1 overall.
NYIT improved to 14-2-1 on the season, while LIU Post is now 14-4-1 on the season. The two teams will most likely face each other one more time this season in the opening round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament. The East Region bracket will be announced on Monday, Nov. 10.
Provided by the NYIT Sports Information Department.
