Box Score It took overtime, but the College of Staten Island men's soccer team was successful in winning their season-long fourth straight game, gaining valuable playoff positioning in the process with a thrilling, 2-1, win over York College at Aviator Field in Brooklyn as part of CUNYAC play this evening.  The win advanced the Dolphins to 8-10-1 overall this season, but more importantly 5-3 in CUNYAC play as it awaits the postseason.  The Cardinals fell to 6-9-1 and 3-4, respectively.

In an evenly matched and well-played game throughout, chances were there for both teams for the first 90 minutes and the result was a very fitting, 1-1, tie.  Both teams scored late in the halves.  With just 11:10 to play in the first stanza, CSI junior captain Alfonso Castaneda was sprung loose on the sideline, sending a low cross into the box that freshman Marcin Klim was able to bury into the net passed a diving Leszek Stankiewicz to stake CSI to a 1-0 edge.  CSI was out-shot, 11-8 in the frame (5-3 on goal) yet the visitors went into intermission with the lead intact.

In the second frame, it was CSI's turn to get the better chances, outshooting the Cardinals 11-8 in the frame and 4-3 on goal, but Stankiewicz was able to turn aside the CSI chances, and then with 14:57 to play in regulation it was the home team's turn to register.  Huguens Smith was the catalyst, sending a long through-ball through the middle of the field and onto the waiting foot of Rohan Burrell who buried home a low liner passed CSI keeper Antonio Lynch to knot the score at 1-1.

The two teams were deadlocked from there, as the final score held up until regulation.  With the temperature dropping significantly it was time for overtime, as CSI got the game's biggest break.  Just 4:22 into the extra frame, the Cardinals were whistled for a foul inside of their own box and the officials motioned for a penalty kick.  A calm Thomas Vazquez was the taker, and the junior laced the ball in to end the game via golden goal, 2-1.  For the Dolphins, it was their third penalty kick goal of the year, and for Vazquez, his third game-winner of the year.

CSI led the final shot count, 21-19 (York had a 10-6 lead in shots on goal).  Antonio Lynch made 9 saves for the Dolphins in the victory, and was led by Vazquez's five total shots.  Andre Adelson led York with four shots coming off of the bench, while Stankiewicz made a total of four saves in defeat.

The win for the Dolphins clinched them the No. 4 seed in the upcoming CUNYAC Postseason Tournament which starts a week from today.  The seeding insures them of a home quarterfinal date, but their opponent could be any one of four teams still battling for the No. 5 position.  The conference championship pairings will be announced on Monday, October 28.

CSI will now be idle until the opening round of the CUNYAC Tournament, which begins on Wednesday, October 30, at 3:30pm at CSI.