E8 Champs
0
Nazareth NAZARETH (12-7-1)
2
Winner Stevens STEVENS (17-2-1)
Nazareth NAZARETH
(12-7-1)
0
Final
2
Stevens STEVENS
(17-2-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Nazareth NAZARETH 0 0 0
Stevens STEVENS 0 2 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Stevens Athletic Communications

Champs! No. 21 Men’s Soccer Downs Naz to Win Second-Straight E8 Crown

HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 4, 2018)  – No. 21 Stevens Institute of Technology men's soccer defeated Nazareth College 2-0 Sunday to capture its second-straight Empire 8 Conference championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. 

Since joining the Empire 8 Conference for the start of the 2007 season, the Ducks have captured 11 conference titles and have reached the NCAA Tournament in 16 of the last 18 seasons.

Senior Chris Cesario broke through in the 56th minute, tapping in a pretty cross from classmate Daniel Aversano for his fourth goal of the year. The Old Bridge, New Jersey native two goals in the championship tournament and was named Most Valuable Player.

Sophomore Cristiano Hocken provided an insurance goal in the 73rd minute as the Ducks won their sixth straight to improve to 17-2-1. The team's 17 victories are the highest mark for the program since 2013 and are tied for the fourth-most in the program's 90-year history. Stevens completed a perfect Empire 8 season (wins in all conference regular and postseason matches) for the fourth time. 

Senior Aaron Henry made one save to post his 11th clean sheet of the season. The Fayetteville, Arkansas native has not allowed a goal over his last 386:55.

Brian Wilkin made eight saves for the Golden Flyers, who fell to 12-7-1. Stevens improved to 16-0-1 all-time against Nazareth, including a perfect 5-0 in the Empire 8 tournament. The Ducks topped the Golden Flyers in the E8 title match for the third time.

Inside the Numbers
  • Stevens outshot Nazareth 29-2 and held a 10-1 edge in shots on net. The 29 shots marked a season-high.
  • Aversano led all players with seven shots, including three shots on net. His assist on Cesario's tally extended the Upper Saddle River, New Jersey native's point streak to six.
  • Senior Andrew Masur also collected an assist with a perfectly-placed through-ball that lead to Hocken's marker.
  • The teams combined for 28 fouls, two cards and one ejection.
  • Over the course of the two-day tournament, Stevens allowed just four shots with only one registering on net.
  • 2018 is the final season of Empire 8 competition for the Ducks. Stevens concluded its E8 tenure with an all-time record of 90-4-9. The Ducks finished 20-0-3 all-time in the E8 tournament

Unsung Heroes
  • Henry lowered his goals against average to 0.44. As it currently stands, the number would be the fourth-lowest single-season mark in program history. 

From the Sidelines
  • "Delighted to win the championship today. It was an incredible effort against a very organized Nazareth side. We had to be patient, but our forwards were clinical at the right moment."
  • "Chris [Cesario] showed big-time leadership and a cool head at the right moments this weekend. He lead the line and was a constant threat. Delighted he was recognized as MVP."

Up Next
  • No. 21 Stevens will learn of its NCAA placement Monday afternoon when the NCAA Tournament bracket is revealed.

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