STATEN ISLAND, NY – The College of Staten Island men's soccer team kicked off its 2026 season against Saint Anselm College at Dolphin Soccer Park on Saturday afternoon. After the Dolphins entered halftime trailing by one, the hosts gained momentum in the opening minutes of the second half and took the lead before the Hawks battled back to secure the 3-2 victory.
The Dolphins fell behind in the first half after the Hawks scored in the 25th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Overall, both teams were evenly matched on the offensive end, with each team recording eight shots. The Hawks, however, recorded five saves to keep the Dolphins off the scoreboard.
Just five minutes into the second half, Peterson Larose controlled the ball on the left side of the field before carrying it into midfield and finding Claidi Nurcja, who scored the equalizer to make it 1-1. The goal marked Nurcja's first points as a Dolphin. Moments later, Yair Roman gained possession as the Dolphins' ball movement allowed the ball to travel from Emmanuel Kambouris to Deniz Karcher and then to Feyisope Osifeso, who found the back of the net for the go-ahead goal, giving CSI a 2-1 advantage.
The Dolphins shifted the momentum in their favor during the second half; however, the Hawks battled back and scored two consecutive goals to take a 3-2 lead and ultimately hand the Dolphins the defeat.
Nurcja and Osifeso led the Dolphins with one goal and three shots apiece. Larose finished second on the team with two shots, followed by Karcher with one. Larose and Karcher each recorded an assist in the contest. Luca Schelling made seven saves across 90 minutes in goal.
The College of Staten Island men's soccer team (0-1) will return to action next Saturday, Sept. 5, at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ, for a 2:00 PM kickoff.
GAME REPLAY
