YORK, Pa. (November 21, 2009) – The Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team had its dream of a return trip the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship semifinals ended on Saturday afternoon as the Christopher Newport University Captains advanced over the Ducks, 4-2, in penalty kicks. The two teams were tied 0-0 after 110 minutes of action and a shootout was needed to determine whose season would continue. Both teams converted their first two attempts but two-straight misses by the Ducks opened the door for Newport, who took advantage in the fifth and final round of the shootout.
Sophomore Cliff Kipper (Hayes, Va.) and freshman Joseph O'Connell (St. Augustine, Fla.) hit their first two attempts for CNU, and junior Nolan Sandberg and sophomore Pete Bednarsky converted on the first two Duck chances to make it 2-2 heading into the third and fourth rounds.
CNU converted its third chance and Duck freshman Zach Adler was denied so the President's went into the fourth round up, 3-2. Junior goalkeeper Zach Carr made the stop on the next Christopher Newport shot, but Stevens was unable to tie things up at 3-all with its attempt in the fourth round.
Needing a goal to seal it for the Captains, sophomore Winston Mattheisen (Norfolk, Va.) was able to convert his chance to send CNU into the round of eight.
Each team had chances in regulation and the two overtimes but either just missed, hit crossbars, or the goalkeepers made saves. Carr was credited with four stops for the Ducks, and sophomore Justin Wolfe (Williamsburg, Va.) made nine for Christopher Newport.
Stevens ended the contest with a 16-15 edge in shots but the Captains had a 10-2 advantage in corners. Adler (4) and senior Terrence Johnson (3) led Stevens in shots on goal.
CNU (19-2-3) will play in Sunday's Sectional final against Williams College who advanced over host York College (Pa.) in penalty kicks in the first game of the day. Stevens ends its season with a record of 17-3-2 as 2008's national runner-up fell just shy of a return trip to the round of four in 2009.
