The College of Staten Island men's soccer team were shut out in the third consecutive contest, this time falling to Berkeley College in their home opener by a 2-0 count at the CSI Soccer Complex.  the loss dipped the Dolphins to 0-4-1 to start the 2010 campaign, while the Knights opened their season at 1-0.

CSI, which has now not scored in 348 minutes of soccer, registered eight shots against the Knights today, but only four were on net, as Berkeley used both an early and late second half goal to frustrate the Dolphins.

Although both teams were deadlocked at the half at 0-0, the Knights did control play, using a balanced midfield and the play of their attacking wings to set up chances inside.  Although Berkeley got off a couple of nice shots in the goalmouth, they were plagued with shots that were going wide that should have been on goal.  The Knights tallied 14 shots in the opening stanza, but only five were on goal as keeper Ahmed El-Ghareib was there to make all the stops.  Meanwhile, Knights keeper Lauga Oskarsdottir only had to thwart one CSI shot, a Lirim Begai rocket from the left side of the goal box.

Begai finished with five shots to lead the Dolphins, but it was Berkeley that used an intense attack in the second half to finally hit paydirt in the 51st minute.  There, an Ignace Fortunat free kick from about 30 yards was booted into the box, and found a diagonal running Joal Yawli who blasted it in from point-blank range to put the visitors on top, 1-0.

CSI was out-shot 13-6 in the second frame, and finally, with 12:19 to go, the visitors put in their second tally.  This time a costly CSI turnover, forced by Manuel Guzman, led to a Dela Womawover one-on-one goal which he blasted to El-Ghareib's short side to put the game away.

In total, Berkeley out shot CSI, 27-8 (12-4 on goal), and held a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks.  The physical game saw 38 fouls whistled with each team earning a pair of yellow cards (John Tanna and Adam Birnbaum were cautioned for CSI).

CSI will be back in action on Wednesday, September 15, when they open up their CUNYAC schedule with a 4pm date with Brooklyn College at the CSI Soccer Complex.

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