Beavers Win in PK's to Advance to CUNYAC Semifinals
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Talk about leadership. Senior and captain goalkeeper Tayfun Kucuk made two outstanding and game-saving saves and also was successful in his lone penalty kick attempt as the third seeded City College of New York men's soccer team defeated Lehman College in penalty kicks, 3-0, to advance to the CUNY Athletic Conference/Applebee's Men's Soccer Semifinals.
Officially, the quarterfinal game at Randall's Island Field 10 resulted in a 1-1 tie but the Beavers made all three of their PK's while Kucuk held the Lightning scoreless to advance to their first semifinal game since 2005, the last time City College won the CUNYAC Championship.
Tonight, CCNY scored the game's first goal of the game in the 13th minute, when Kazuhide Kosugi scored his first goal of the season on a beautiful pass from Matthew Mbamelu. Kucuk made a beautiful save to preserve CCNY's lead late in the first half as the senior held the Lightning scoreless even though Lehman fired away 12 shots in the first frame.
Lehman tied the game at 1-1 early in the second half after senior Oumar Niang scored his 13th goal of the season.
As the game progressed, the action became more physical and both teams had a few opportunities to score. In the 89th minute, Lehman had its best chance to clinch its ticket to the next round of the CUNYAC tournament as Aleh Kazak fired off a shot that hit just off of the crossbar. The score remained tied at the end of regulation.
Into extras, the benches cleared and a few red cards were handed out before the end of the first overtime.
In the second overtime, the Lightning threatened but Kucuk and the Beavers defense were up to the task as the goalkeeper made two of his 14 saves to keep the game tied at 1-1 after two overtimes. The game would be decided in a shootout and CCNY elected to shoot first.
Kucuk stepped up and fired a successful bullet to convert his chance and put some pressure on Lehman College. Niang would be the first shooter for the Lightning as Kucuk returned to keeper. Niang's shot was just wide of the net as City College took a 1-0 lead in PK's.
Sophomore Matthew Mbamelu began the second round for head coach Roberto Ignaccolo and the Beavers and he too was successful. Momar Thiam attempted the second shot for the Lightning and Kucuk made a diving save as CCNY led 2-0 in PK's.
In the third round, CCNY's backup goalkeeper Danny Hernandez, who was seeing his first action of the contest, was successful in his attempt to set up a do or die situation for Lehman. Lightning captain Carlos Ribeiro fired off a shot to the right of Kucuk but the senior once again made a diving save as the Beavers defeated the Lightning 3-0 in PK's.
CCNY will next face second seeded Brooklyn College on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 7 PM at Randall's Island Field 10.
For full coverage of Beavers soccer, please visit CCNYAthletics.com and follow @CCNYSports on Twitter.
