ROCHESTER, N.Y. (November 8, 2009) – Senior forward Terrence Johnson scored the game-winner in the 89th minute to lift the Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer team to a 2-1 win over top-seeded Nazareth College in Empire 8 Men's Soccer Championship final on Sunday afternoon in Rochester, N.Y. Junior Bryan De Faria assisted on the deciding tally as the Ducks advance to their seventh-straight NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship. Johnson was named the championship game's Most Valuable Player, tallying both Stevens goals.
Stevens (15-3-1) threatened early and often, taking the game's first six shots but Nazareth goalkeeper Ryan Platt (Preston, England) made several impressive stops, most notably back-to-back diving saves in a one-on-one battle with Johnson at the top of the goalie box in the fifth minute.
The Golden Flyers (11-5-2) settled down and generated several solid chances but were unable to score, and the Ducks were able to break through at the 16:26 mark on Johnson's first goal of the match. The Duck senior received a pass from freshman forward Victor Daza and with a defender on his hip, he moved through the box from left to right before ripping a shot back across the goal into the lower-left corner. It was Johnson's ninth tally of the season and Daza's second assist.
Moments after the Stevens goal, Nazareth had an excellent chance but junior goalkeeper Zach Carr was able to tip senior Chris Lofgren's (Vellinge, Sweden) long shot off the cross bar and senior back Chris Faustino was able to block a rebound attempt and clear the ball.
The Golden Flyers were able to connect on their next scoring opportunity in the 32nd minute of play as Lofgren sent a ball into the box, and Stevens was whistled for a hand ball. Junior Rikesh Kotak (Leciester, England) scored on the ensuing penalty kick to tie the game at one. Kotak's penalty kick was the first that Stevens had given up during the 2009 season. The goal was the first the Ducks had allowed since a loss at Elmira College on October 17.
Early in the second half, Johnson had a great chance after beating the keeper in another one-on-one situation on the right wing. This time, his shot rang off the far left post and the game remained knotted at one.
With 1:30 on the clock and the score still tied, Nazareth was able to generate its only corner kick of the game but that corner would be the start the Ducks' game-winning goal. Following the service, De Faria was able to chase down the loose ball. The junior made several touches before launching a beautiful long ball to a streaking Johnson who had beaten the Nazareth defense. Johnson was able to chase it down and fire a laser to beat Platt and put the Ducks up, 2-1, with just 1:11 remaining on the clock. The tally was the 20th game-winning goal of his career.
“Terrence came up huge today,” Head Coach Tim O'Donohue said. “He's really had an amazing career and for him to be able to come up with two great plays like that in this situation shows what type of player he is.”
The Ducks' D was able to hold over the final 71 seconds, and Stevens punched its seventh-straight ticket to the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship. Stevens, who has won a conference championship eight of the last nine seasons, finished the game with a 19-11 advantage in shots and a 3-1 edge in corners. The Ducks outshot the Golden Flyers 10-3 in the second half.
“For our team to go on the road and into a hostile environment and come out with a win demonstrates the type of character these young men have,” said O'Donohue. “We've had some tough breaks this season, but the entire team battled through adversity, improved, and came up big when it mattered most.”
Carr made six saves and earned the win in goal for the Ducks. In nine matches against Empire 8 foes, Carr allowed a total of three goals. Platt played well for Nazareth in the loss, making 10 saves. The two goals against were only the second and third he had allowed against conference opponents all season.
Stevens' group of seven seniors – Johnson, Faustino, Al Lockhart, John Radvany, Todd Sheridan, Kevin Matyger, and Josh Williams - has now won four conference titles, six NCAA Tournament games to date, and compiled an overall record of 69-7-11.
The Ducks will now await their draw in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. An official announcement will be made on Monday.
