Stevens Wins Fifth Straight Empire 8 Crown with 2-1 Win Over Elmira
HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 6, 2011) – 2011 Empire 8 Men’s Soccer Player of the Year Zach Adler (McKinney, Texas) of Stevens Institute of Technology secured the 2011 Empire 8 Championship for Stevens by scoring both goals in the Ducks’ 2-1 victory over Elmira College in the Empire 8 Final on Sunday. The junior was also named the Empire 8 Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player for his efforts. With the victory, Stevens secured its fifth-straight Empire 8 title, eighth-straight conference title and 11th-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
Though Stevens dominated most of the match – outshooting the Soaring Eagles 21 to 2 – the hosts found themselves trailing 1-0 after Jared Cipriano (Wilmington, Vt.) drew a foul in the box while making an endline run. Andre Germano (Campinas, Brazil) converted the ensuing penalty kick at 22:31 to give Elmira the lead.
Undeterred by the Elmira advantage, the Ducks continued to generate scoring chances though the first half. Stephen Dunbar (Johns Creek, Ga.) had numerous chances for the equalizer, perhaps none better than with seven minutes remaining in the period. The sophomore chipped the ball over the Elmira goaltender, but Elmira defender Ted Michelson (Winsted, Conn.) was able to redirect the rolling ball away from the goal mouth to preserve the Elmira lead.
Then with five minutes remaining in the half, Benjamin Hirsch (Montvale, N.J.) found Adler in space with a centering pass. Adler turned and fired the ball into the net for the tying goal that sent the teams to the locker room even at one score apiece.
The second half was tense, as both team’s offenses were unable to score for over the first 40 minutes. With 31 minutes showing on the scoreboard, Zach Bowman (La Plata, Md.) and Dunbar got off back-to-back close shots deep in Elmira territory, but Dunbar sent Bowman’s rebound over the crossbar as the Soaring Eagles survived another scare.
Just over 10 minutes later the Ducks broke out on a new scoring chance, as Adler, Curtis Stecyk (Boulder, Colo.) and Dunbar set up a rugby-like passing pattern on the right side that allowed Dunbar to break in close, but his shot hit the side netting of the Elmira goal.
The match seemed destined for overtime, but with less than three minutes remaining in regulation, the Eagles committed a turnover for which Adler made them pay. The MVP stole the ball, proceeded up the left side nearly unopposed and won the 1-on-1 battle with the Elmira keeper to give Stevens the 2-1 lead and ultimately deliver another conference championship to Castle Point.
Elmira managed just two shots on the day as the Stevens defense played remarkably well…Elmira also committed 12 fouls to the Ducks’ four, picked up four yellow cards and drew two red cards after the final whistle…Paul Killian (Ellicott City, Md.) earned the win in goal for the Ducks.
Stevens has earned a berth in the 2011 Division III NCAA Tournament. The schedule and bracket will be announced by the NCAA on Monday.