Visiting Montclair State Handles Centenary 2-0
(10/8/07) This afternoon the #12 ranked Red Hawks of Montclair State defeated Centenary Men’s Soccer by the final of 2-0, improving themselves to 12-1 on the year. The Cyclones fall a game under .500 at 6-7 with the non-conference loss.
The host Cyclone Men played a very defensive minded first half, taking very few chances at the offensive end of the field. The result, the opportunity to defend and limit Montclair State chances at their end. For the half the Centenary strategy worked giving up 11 shots , but zero goals. The early stages of the second half was more of the same, as neither team was able to crack the net. Montclair State finally broke through in the 64th minute when a corner from Owen Nichols found the head of John Esposito giving the visitor’s a 1-0 advantage. After falling behind the Cyclones needed to take a few chances at goal and were able to build up a few opportunities, however MSU goalkeeper Nick Mele was up for the challenge. The Red Hawks again broke through in the 74th minute when Aytac Malta assisted Tyler Masterson for the team’s second tally pushing the lead to the eventual 2-0 margin. Mele preserved the shut-out making two saves in the half, his only two of the game.
Centenary goalie, Damien DiBuono (Succasunna/Morris Catholic) made nine saves despite the loss.
The Cyclones will take the field again on Wednesday afternoon when they host John Jay College at 4:00 pm. Boxscore
Cyclone Men register First PAC win, 4-1 over Gwynedd Mercy
- Chris Hill
(10/6/07) On the Men’s side of the doubleheader today the Cyclones used an even attack of two goals in each half to register their first PAC victory of the season. Centenary’s Chris Hill (Flanders/Gill St. Bernard’s) was the difference, as he recorded his first hat trick of the season scoring on a pair of assists from Josh Spivack (Budd Lake/Mount Olive) and one from Ryan Bilello (West Hempstead, NY/West Hempstead). Following a 2-0 lead at the halftime break, thanks to two of Hill’s goals the Centenary Men added a third by Chris Gaudagno (West Milford/West Milford) before giving one back to GMC’s Tim Munsey in the 82nd minute. Centenary goalkeeper Damien DiBuono (Succasunna/Morris Catholic) made seven save sin the win.
The Cyclones improve to 6-6 overall, 1-4 in the conference with the victory. They will be in action again on Monday afternoon as they host Montclair State in a non-conference match-up, kickoff is set for 4:00 pm. Boxscore
Early Goal is Not Enough as Cyclones Fall to Alvernia 4-1
(10/3/07) The Centenary men’s soccer team lost to their third PAC opponent of the season 4-1 this afternoon. The loss moves the Cyclone’s record to 5-6 overall and 0-3 in the conference.
The Cyclones controlled the game in the first half and out shot the Crusaders 12 to eight and totaled six corner kicks to Alvernia’s zero. Junior Chris Hill (Flanders/Gill St. Bernard’s) was able to net his sixth goal of the season in the 28th minute to give the Cyclones a 1-0 lead. Assisting on Hill’s goal was sophomore Chris Guadagno (West Milford/West Milford). The Cyclones remained ahead by one as the whistle blew to end the half.
Unfortunately the tide turned towards Alvernia in the second half and the Cyclones were not able to keep up with the Crusaders Morgan Davidheiser. Davidheiser would capture a hat trick by the end of the game and teammate Timothy Sweeney would cap off Alvernia’s scoring, making the final score 4-1.
Cyclones keeper Damien DiBuono (Succasunna/Morris Catholic) and Richard Kessler from Alvernia both made ten saves apiece.
The Cyclones next PAC match up comes this weekend as both the men’s and women’s soccer teams take on Gwyendd Mercy in a doubleheader this Saturday October 6th at 3:00pm. Boxscore
Cyclones Down Mount Saint Mary's 3-1
- Justin DeFeo
(9/26/07) This evening in Newburgh, New York the Centenary men’s soccer team took on the Blue Knights of Mount Saint Mary’s College for some non-conference action. The Cyclones came away with the victory and junior Chris Hill (Flanders/Gill St. Bernard’s) was able to record not only the game winner but also another goal in the match.
Keeper Damien DiBuono (Succasunna/Morris Catholic) recorded his first collegiate point when he sent a ball three quarters of the way down the field just passing a Mount Saint Mary’s defender right to the oncoming run of teammate Chris Hill. Hill was able to beat the Blue Knights keeper one on one for the first goal of the evening. Seven minutes before the end the first period Hill was able to capitalize again when he dribbled through two Mount Saint Mary’s defenders and slid the ball past goalkeeper Paul Aries to increase the Cyclones lead to 2-0.
Just four minutes later, the Blue Knights would answer back and decrease Centenary’s lead to one when Jon Gasiewski knocked a cross back off the end line. Classmate Francis Amarteifo was able to one time the ball past DiBuono to make the score 2-1. Luckily the Cyclones defense held as the Cyclones maintained their one goal lead through the remaining minutes of the first half.
Centenary was able to put the game away only minutes into the second half when sophomore Chris Guadagno (West Milford/West Milford) found the back of the net off of a cross from Justin DeFeo (Hawthorne/Hawthorne) to make the score 3-1. Guadagno now leads the team with five goals so far this season.
Along with his assist, DiBuono recorded six saves for the Cyclones and Mount Saint Mary’s keeper Aries made five.
The Cyclones improved their record to 5-4 overall but still looking for their first PAC victory. The men will get their opportunity this weekend when they travel to Dallas, Pennsylvania to take on their second conference opponent of the season, Misericordia University, on Saturday, September 29th at 1:00pm. Boxscore
Men's Soccer Downs Hunter 2-0
(9/22/07) This afternoon the Centenary men’s and women’s soccer teams played a double header at home on Cyclone Field. In the first game the women were defeated by Richard Stockton 1-0.
Later in the afternoon, the men took on Hunter and emerged victorious after a vicious battle. The game remained scoreless throughout the first half but eight minutes into the second period the Cyclones got on the board when Josh Spivack (Budd Lake/Mount Olive) took a corner kick and found the head of Chris Guadagno (West Milford/West Milford) giving the men the lead 1-0. Ten minutes later the Cyclones made it 2-0 when Ryan Bilello (West Hempstead, NY/West Hempstead) took the ball around a defender and found the back of the net for an unassisted goal.
Sophomore keeper Damien DiBuono (Succusunna/Morris Catholic) grabbed four saves in the win. The men take to the road for their next match when they visit Mount Saint Mary on Wednesday, September 26th for a night game at 7:00pm. Boxscore
Men's Soccer Falls to Eastern 4-1
(9/20/07) This afternoon the Centenary Men’s Soccer team took on their first Pennsylvania Athletic Conference opponent at Cyclone Field. Despite taking an early lead, the Cyclones were not able to come away with a victory as they fell 4-1 to Eastern University.
Eighteen minutes into the first half Centenary was able to get out in front of the Eagles when sophomore Ryan Bilello (West Hempstead, NY/West Hempstead) took a long throw in and found the head of classmate Damien Gallegos (Rutherford/Queen of Peace) who hit the back of the net. Although Eastern tallied 13 shots in the first half, they were not able to find the back of the net and as the halftime whistle blow the score remained 1-0 in favor of the Cyclones.
Keeper Damien DiBuono (Succasunna/Morris Catholic) made a number of great saves but it was not enough to keep the Eagles off the scoreboard. After knocking at Centenary’s door a number of times, Eastern’s Taylor VanBrackle was finally able to capitalize off of a cross in the 56th minute of play. The Eagles took the lead almost 20 minutes later when Aaron Tritch hit the back of the net off a free kick from Scott Patrick. The Cyclones, now down 2-1 could not match the Eagles energy as they were scored upon two more times before the end of the game.
DiBuono totaled 11 saves and Eastern keeper Noah Bartelt grabbed four. Centenary was out shot by the Eagles 30-8.
The Cyclones are now 3-4 overall and 0-1 in the PAC Conference as they look towards this weekend's game against Hunter College at home at 3:00pm. This game is the second game in a double header with the women’s team. Boxscore
Men Split Games at the 2007 Scarlet Raider Tournament
- Damien Di Buono
(9/17/07) The Centenary men’s soccer team split their two games at the 2007 Scarlet Raider Tournament this past weekend, winning Friday’s game against Rutgers Newark 3-2 and dropping the second game to Rutgers Camden on Saturday 8-0.
On Saturday, the Centenary men recorded their first goal when Chris Hill (Flanders/Gill St. Bernard) hit a rocket into the back of the net off a through pass from Ryan Bilello (West Hempstead, NY/West Hempstead) in the 22nd minute of the first half. Fourteen minutes later, the Cyclones Chris Guadagno (West Milford/West Milford) was able to head the ball past Newark’s keeper Jonathan Frances to put the team ahead by two. Unfortunately, a let down by Centenary allowed the Scarlet Raiders back in the game. In the 53 minute Newarks Joe Caamano netted a goal and just five minutes later his teammate Christien Vlahinich tallied a second knotting up the score at two a piece. Centenary got their chance in the 73 minute of play when Guadagno broke away from the defense and was able to finish the opportunity. Newark was never able to recover, as the game ended with a score of 3-2.
On Sunday the Cyclones did not have the energy to match that of their opponent Rutgers Camden as they fell 8-0. Turgut Kilicoglu from Rutgers Camden led his team with a hat trick.
Goalkeeper Damien Di Buono (Succasunna/Morris Catholic) grabbed 18 saves over the weekend.
Centenary is now for 3-3 overall as they open up PAC Conference play on Thursday afternoon versus Eastern University. Kick-off is schduled for 4:00 pm.
Cyclones Even their Record with 5-1 Win
- Chris Guadagno
(9/8/07) Earlier today in their home opener the Centenary Men’s Soccer team evened their 2007 record at 2-2, with a 5-1 victory over non-conference opponent Brooklyn College.
The host Cyclones wasted no time opening the scoring, as sophomore Ryan Bilello (West Hempstead, NY/West Hempstead) tallied the game’s first goal. Bilello dribbled through three Brooklyn defenders after picking off an errant pass, before planting it in the back of the net. The visitor’s however answered right back when Elis Llagami took on a Centenary defender near the goal line, and found Vasilios Mantagas in the middle of the box for tying score. The contest remained deadlocked at 1-1, until the 36th minute when junior Chris Hill (Flanders/Gill St. Bernard’s) scored on a rebound, following a shot by Justin DeFeo (Hawthorne/Hawthorne) which hit the post. DeFeo would get his opportunity just over a minute later when he connected his first goal of the season on an assist from Damien Gallegos (Rutherford/Queen of Peace) extending the lead to 3-1. After holding the two-goal lead at the break, the Cyclones would tack on two more goals in the second half, Hill’s second of the game in the 46th minute and final goal in the 65th minute, off the foot of Chris Guadagno (West Milford/West Milford). Centenary goalkeeper, Damien DuBuono (Succasunna/Morris Catholic) kept a clean sheet the second half, making four saves, and improving his record to 2-2 in the process.
Boxscore
Men Score Twice in Five Minutes to Notch 3-2 Overtime Win
- Patrick Trivino
(9/5/07) The Centenary Cyclones took to the road for the third straight game on Wednesday afternoon, this time coming home with a victory.
Centenary picked up victory number one of 2007, with a 3-2 overtime win at Purchase College. The win comes at a very good time and in very exciting fashion. Centenary trailed on separate occasion by one-goal, each time bouncing back to tie the game. The second time came with under a minuute remaining in the contest, and the Cyclones down 2-1. Sophomore Chris Guadagno (West Milford/West Milford) found the back of the net on a pass from Andrew Clifton (Flanders/Gill St. Bernard's), sending the game into extra time. Then just three minutes into the first overtime period, Patrick Trivino (Lyndhurst/St. Mary's) tallied the game winner on an assist from Guadagno.
Trivino's first of 2007 gave the Men their first victory of the year and will hopefully now propel them into the weekend, as they make their home debut Saturday at 1:00pm versus Brooklyn College. Boxscore
Drew tops Cyclones 4-0
(9/2/07) The Centenary men’s soccer team traveled to Drew University for their second match in the Drew Fall Festival this afternoon. Unfortunately, the Cyclones suffered their second 4-0 defeat of the weekend to the home Drew Rangers.
The men were able to hold their hosts scoreless in the first half and neither team was able to take control of the game with the majority of play going end to end.
The Cyclones didn’t have a chance to regain their rhythm in the second half as they were scored on in the first five minutes of play. Senior Andrew Clifton (Flanders/Gill St. Bernard’s) had an opportunity to even the score when he received a through ball and broke free from the group to go one on one with the keeper, however he was not able to capitalize. Drew was able to put three more past Centenary’s Damien Di Buono (Succasunna/Morris Catholic) for a final score of 4-0.
Di Buono tallied four saves in the game however, the Cyclones were outshot by Drew 25-3. Boxscore
The men will still be looking for their first win when they travel to New York this Wednesday to take on SUNY Purchase at 4:00pm.
Men's Soccer falls 4-0 in Season Opener
(9/1/07) The Cyclones opened their 2007 season on Saturday evening versus Richard Stockton at the Drew Fall Festival. Unfortunately for the Men they ended up on the losing end of the opener, dropping a 4-0 decison to the Ospreys.
Centenary returns to action at the Festival on Sunday, when they take on host Drew University at 4:00 pm. The Rangers were a 2-0 winner over New Paltz in Saturday's first game. Boxscore
2007 Season Outlook
The 2007 Centenary Men’s Soccer program begins its fourth season under the direction of Head Coach Keith O’Connor. The Cyclones enter the fall season looking to regain some of the momentum that last year ended with, as Centenary made its first post-season appearance in six years. Centenary finished the regular season with an 11-8 mark, good enough for the 3rd seed in the Skyline Conference playoffs. Following a loss in the semi-finals, the team also made an appearance in the ECAC Metro Region Tournament. With a core group of 12 returning letter winners and a talented recruiting class, Coach O’Connor and the Cyclones are certainly looking for a chance at the PAC Championship, their first season in the conference.
FORWARDS
Centenary returns their leading goal scorer to the front line this fall. Chris Hill tallied 12 goals last year in route to being chosen as a 1st Team All-Skyline and 3rd Team ECAC All-Metro Region selection. Joining Hill up front will be sophomore Damien Gallegos, who notched two goals a year ago, and newcomer Jeff Schachtel. Splitting time between the forward and midfield positions this fall will be junior Josh Spivack and freshman Michael Burke. Spivack had a successful first year with Cyclones scoring two goals and recording two assists, while creating depth to both positions.
MIDFIELD
The Cyclones return three members to their midfield from a year ago. Senior Justin DeFeo along with junior Brian Esposito and sophomore Chris Guadagno give the Cyclones great strength in a very important part of the field. Guadagno was the team’s third leading scorer last fall, while DeFeo and Esposito combined for a pair of goals and an assist. Junior Patrick Trivino will also see time in the midfield this fall, as will freshmen Daniel Charkowski. These two players give Coach O’Connor some versatility in his line-up as they both can play in the backfield as well.
DEFENSE
The men also have experience returning in the defensive half of the field, as seniors Scott Bosma and Andrew Clifton and sophomores Ryan Bilello and Andrew Eitel are all back this fall. Following one season at William Paterson, transfer Sean Chirico adds composure and experience to the back line. Bilello started in all 21 games last year for Coach O’Connor, while adding speed and distribution skills to the defense. Bosma and Eitel will both see time off the bench this fall and are well prepared following a season in the program.
GOALKEEPERS
Sophomore Damien Di Buono, who played in 20 games last fall, brings a freshman year full of experience to net this season. Di Buono made 90 saves in his first year and recorded a season long GAA of 2.23. His aggressive style of play is again going to be a difference maker in the Centenary back line.