IBANEZ LEADS NYACK TO CACC MEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
NEW CASTLE, DE - Nyack College recorded its third shutout in as many games to claim the 2009 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Men's Soccer Championship in New Castle, DE, with a 1-0 triumph over Bloomfield College. Nyack junior goalie Adrian Ibanez was named Tournament MVP.
Nyack, the No. 7 seed in the eight-team tournament, scored the game-winning goal off a header from senior captain Eric Martinez in the 25th minute of play. The CACC Champion Nyack Warriors now move on to the National Christian College East Regional. Nyack is now 10-11-1 on the season.
The game-winning play started with Gavin Penny, who sent a cross from the right side of the Bloomfield defense that connected with the head of the streaking Erik Martinez who finished into the back of the net. The goal, which was the first of the season for Martinez, would be all the offense Nyack would need.
For the third time this tournament, the Warriors' defense was strong in holding off opposing offenses in the late minutes of the second half. Bloomfield (8-11-2) threatened with several serious chances twice late in the game. The No. 5 seed Deacons sent a shot off the crossbar and the following rebound remained near the net, where it was knocked away by Ibanez. The Deacons' final rush of the match sent a cross in front of the net for what could have been the tying goal had it not been knocked aside by senior Isaac Wade, who slid in to deflect the pass.
Ibanez posted three shutouts en route to being named the
Tournament MVP.
The championship game was the conclusion of an unusual tournament.
Of the seven tournament games, the higher seed won only once,
when top seeded Wilmington University won its quarterfinal
match against No. 8 Goldey-Beacom College. Every other game was won
by the underdog.
2009 CACC Men's Soccer Tournament
Quarterfinals - Monday, Nov. 2
#1 Wilmington 2, #8 Goldey-Beacom 0
#7 Nyack 1, #2 Dominican 0
#6 Post 2, #3 Holy Family 0
#5 Bloomfield 4, #4 Philadelphia 0
Semi-Finals - Wednesday, Nov. 4
Bloomfield 0, Wilmington 0 (BC wins shootout, 4-2)
Nyack 1, Post 0
Championship Match - Saturday, Nov. 7
Nyack 1, Bloomfield 0
All-Tournament Team
Adrian Ibanez, Nyack - MVP
Gavin Penny, Nyack
Mikey Robinson, Nyack
Daniel Ocampo, Nyack
Connor Ike, Nyack
Stephen Alonso, Bloomfield
Terry Gibbs, Bloomfield
Jason Bryan, Bloomfield
Duhan Malali, Wilmington
Dave Dease, Wilmington
Andrew Nelson, Post
Maurice Johnson, Post
Brandon Heembrock, Dominican
Seydou Ba, Holy Family
Kris Perez, Philadelphia
Chris Steele, Goldey-Beacom