CUNYAC Semifinal: Baruch 3, Staten Island 2; Bearcats Return to Championship Match
The Baruch College Bearcats defeated the Dolphins from the College of Staten Island, 3-2, in a CUNYAC Applebee's Championship Semifinal Match played on Saturday afternoon at the Brooklyn College Athletic Complex.
The Bearcats advance to their third straight CUNYAC Championship match, while extending their overall season winning streak to 10 and 21 in a row against CUNYAC opponents (regular & postseason) dating back to last year.
The Bearcats will next play either CCNY on Saturday, November 9, at 4:30 pm, at this year's host Brooklyn College. The winner of this match will also earn CUNYAC's coveted berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Staten Island scored first in the 14th minute for the early lead, but Oren Kozlowski tied it quickly two minutes later. Danny Goldberg sent an over the top assist that found Kozlowski on the other side to score the tying goal.
Kozlowski scored again in the 43rd minute taking advantage of a ball that bounced off a defender to knock in the goal unassisted.
The Bearcats had control in the early part of the second half and created numerous opportunities to increase the advantage, but could not score as the momentum would slowly swing back in Staten Island's favor, especially after the Bearcats missed a penalty kick that hit the crossbar.
Staten Island had several opportunities to take the lead, but Kyle Keague quickly turned the momentum back after he scored on a crossing assist by Christopher Galluzzo in the 57th minute. That goal would stand as the winning strike to enable the Bearcats to return to the championship match for the third straight year.
Guy Sharav recorded eight saves, including a one-on-one stop of a scoring opportunity by Staten Island late in the match, to secure the semifinal victory.
2013 CUNYAC Applebee's Championship
QUARTERFINALS, Wednesday, October 30
at Higher seeds
#1 Baruch defeats #8 Hunter, 2-1
#2 CCNY defeats #7 Lehman, 2-1
#3 Brooklyn defeats #6 York, 2-1
#4 Staten Island defeats #5 John Jay, 1-0
SEMIFINALS, Saturday, November 2
at Brooklyn College Soccer Field
#1 Baruch defeats #4 Staten Island, 3-2
#2 CCNY vs #3 Brooklyn, tie 1-1 (CCNY win in PKs 5-4)
FINAL, Saturday, November 9
at Brooklyn College Soccer Field
#1 Baruch vs #2 CCNY , 4:30 pm
