Old Westbury, N.Y. - Facing Queens College for the second time in less than a week, the NYIT men's soccer team hosted the Knights in the East Coast Conference semifinals Wednesday afternoon. A 2-1 victory in favor of the hosts gives them a 26-0-1 record at home since 2013, and advances them to the ECC conference finals for the second consecutive season to defend their Championship title from 2014.
Scoring early for the Bears was Simon-Peter Omooba who got a cross from Martin Sundell at the top of the box in the 22nd minute to take a 1-0 lead, with the first goal of preseason action. After being awarded a corner kick nearly eight minutes later, a scramble of players in front of NYIT's goal allowed the Knights to knot the score at 1-1 on a goal from Aitor Gurruchaga.
With less than two minutes remaining in the first half Ben Wilson connected with John Camponeschi who netted the eventual gamewinner in the 44th minute. The Bears held the visiting Knights to just three shots in both frames, taking a 14-6 advantage in total. Despite taking three shots on goal in the second half, graduate student Alvaro Cruz picked up three saves and the win to improve to 10-1 this season.
NYIT tried to give themselves a cushion by taking six shots in the second frame, but with only one on the mark, Queens keeper Brostowski kept that from happening. The victory kept the Bears flawless at President's Stadium, with a 10-0 record and berth to the ECC championship finals for the second time in two years.
The Bears will play at the No. 1 seeded LIU Post Pioneers home stadium in Brookville, N.Y. at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6. The winner of that game will earn the title of East Coast Conference Champions.
Provided by the NYIT Sports Information Department.
