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GCC is 15-1 on season after beating WNY soccer rival Herkimer 2-1

By Howard B. Owens

Article submitted by Andrew Crofts, GCC sports information director. Photos by Howard Owens.

It was the most anticipated regular season matchup in Genesee Community College men's soccer history. The #2 Cougars welcomed the #1 Herkimer County Community College Generals to town in a rematch of last year's NJCAA Division III National Championship game. The game lived up to the hype.

Both teams entered Tuesday night's showdown with identical 14-1 records. The Cougars won the Western New York Athletic Conference title this season and the Generals took care of the Mountain Valley Conference. Tuesday night's winner likely will determine next week's number one team in the National Poll.

Not wanting to give up the top spot, Herkimer jumped out in front just under three minutes into the first half. The Generals capitalized on a penalty kick that came as a result of a GCC handball in the box. Jordan Stoddart converted on the kick.

Genesee's best chance to tie in the first half came late when Dom Francis sent a lefty bid from just outside the box that hit the crossbar, keeping the score 1-0 in favor of the visitors. The Cougars trailed by the same score at the break.

GCC notched the equalizer about 10 minutes into the second half when Theo Stamotopolous chipped in a goal off of a corner kick to tie the score at one. It was his third goal in two games.

Both teams played scoreless soccer for nearly 30 minutes after that until GCC broke through. Set up with another corner kick, Sam Cassidy sent the cross in front of the Generals net that was headed in by Cody Niccloy to give Genesee a 2-1 lead with about five minutes remaining.

The Cougars were able to hold off Herkimer for the final five minutes and knocked off the country's number one team, 2-1.

Niccloy's game-winning goal is his second of the season. He also tallied the winner against Mercyhurst North East in double-overtime in September.

Jake O'Learly played all 90 minutes in net for GCC and made six saves.

The win is the second regular season victory for Genesee over Herkimer in the last two years. The Cougars defeated the Generals 1-0 during the regular season last year, before falling 4-1 in the National Championship game.

Genesee improves to 15-1 overall and will conclude their regular season on Thursday night when they travel to Bryant and Stratton College for a 4 p.m. start.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here.

Genesee falls to Herkimer

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College women's soccer team dropped a 4-0 contest to Herkimer County Community College on Sunday afternoon, falling to 4-11-1 on the season.

The Lady Generals, the eighth-ranked team in the NJCAA Division III National Poll, took the lead with a goal just two minutes into the opening half. Herkimer added to their lead with two goals in less than thirty-seconds in the 26th minute, taking a 3-0 advantage. They scored again in the 32nd minute to take a 4-0 lead.

That would be all the scoring as GCC played a tough second half, but failed to capitalize on any scoring opportunity. Nicole Patterson made 11 saves in net for Genesee. Kaeleigh DiSalvo had four shots on net.

(#2 Marisa Fox tries to hold off a Herkimer attacker)

 

For Herkimer, Kaitlyn Lyon scored twice and Melissa Stec and Francesca Robinson each added a goal.

Genesee will return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Jamestown Community College-Olean for a 6pm start.

Lady Cougars shut out Corning

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College women's soccer team shut out visiting Corning Community College on Tuesday night, by a final score of 3-0.

Denae McGrath put the Lady Cougars on the board in the 15th minute with her first of two goals on the night. She followed it up with a goal in the 30th minute to up the lead to 2-0. GCC took that lead into halftime.

Both teams played an even second half and a Corning CC own-goal was the only scoring of the period, giving GCC a 3-0 that they would hold on to.

Nicole Patterson played well in net, earning her second shut out of the season.

The Lady Cougars improve to 4-9-1 and will play at Jamestown Community College on Thursday afternoon at 2pm.

Francis' hat-trick propels Cougars

By Andrew Crofts

For the third time this season, forward Dominic Francis recorded a hat-trick for the second-ranked Genesee Community College men's soccer team. Sunday, it came against Tompkins-Cortland Community College in a game that the Cougars would end up winning by a final score of 4-1.

Francis put GCC on the board just three minutes into the first half with his first of three goals on the afternoon. He then gave GCC a 2-0 lead at the 27 minute mark with an unassisted, breakaway goal. Matheus Freire upped the lead to 3-0 with an unassisted goal of his own. The Panthers cut the Genesee lead down to two with their only goal of the contest at the 38 minute mark in the first half. Genesee led 3-1 at the break.

(#17 Dominic Francis celebrates his second of three goals against TC3 on Sunday afternoon)

In the second half, both teams played nearly 45 minutes of scoreless soccer before Francis capped off the scoring on the afternoon with a chip shot that beat the TC3 goalkeeper with 31 seconds remaining in the game.

The win improves Genesee's overall record to 11-1. The Cougars will return to action on Tuesday night when they host Corning Community College.

 

 

The Genesee Community College women's soccer team could not find a way past visiting Tompkins-Cortland Community College on Sunday afternoon, falling to the Lady Panthers 5-0.

Both teams played an even, scoreless, thirty-minutes to open the game before Erika Faberzak scored the lone goal of the first half, her first of three goals on the afternoon, to give TC3 a 1-0 lead.

The Lady Panthers struck again early in the second half and added three late goals to cruise to the 5-0 win.

(Genesee goalkeeper Nicole Patterson dives to make a save against TC3 on Sunday afternoon)

Genesee managed just two shots on goal. Nicole Patterson made twelve saves in net for Genesee.

The Lady Cougars (3-9-1) will return to action again on Tuesday night when they host Corning Community College.

GCC Soccer: Men win, Women fall

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College men’s soccer team continued their winning ways on Tuesday afternoon as they defeated the visiting Finger Lakes Community College Lakers, 8-0.

The Cougars scored three goals in the first 17 minutes of the match. Sam Cassidy struck first, followed by Nathan Rose and Dominic Francis. The Cougars dominated play in the first half and led the Lakers at the break, 3-0.

Genesee added to their lead in the second half on goals by Theo Stamotopolus, Matheus Freire, and Sean Hallas, before Francis added his second of the contest. An own goal was also tallied in the second half, and GCC cruised to an 8-0 win.

Jake O’Leary and Sean Allen each played a half in net, earning the shutout for Genesee.

The Cougars (8-1) will return to action on Thursday afternoon at 4:00pm as they travel to Mercyhurst Northeast.

 

The Genesee Community College women’s soccer team had a tough night hosting the visiting Lakers from Finger Lakes Community College on Tuesday night, falling by a final score of 7-0.

The Lakers struck early in the first half on goals by Hannah Dalle and Rebecca Giacapuzzi to put the Lakers in front 2-0 just five minutes in. FLCC would continue to stretch their leads as Tasha Hyland and Dalle scored to make the score 4-0 at the break.

FLCC added three second half goals and kept the Lady Cougars to just two shots on net.

Nicole Patterson made 13 saves in goal for Genesee.

The Lady Cougars (2-7-1) return to action on Saturday afternoon at 2:00pm when they host North County Community College.

GCC Soccer: Men and Women beat Niagara

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College men's soccer team continued their winning ways on Thursday evening as they defeated the visiting Niagara County Community College Thunderwolves, 5-0.

Dominic Francis continued his scoring pace as he notched in a pair of goals to lead the Cougars to the win. Francis would get the first goal of the game at the halfway mark of the opening half. Lee Micklethwaite assisted on the goal. The Cougars would add to the lead as Matheus Freire added his first collegiate goal as a Cougar to lead Genesee into the break with a 2-0 lead.

(Sean Hallas, #2, goes for a slide tackle in GCC's win over Niagara CCC on Thursday)

Genesee added three more goals in the second half behind tallies from Micklethwaite, Theo Stamotopolus and Francis.

The win improves GCC to 5-1 overall and the Cougars will return to action on Saturday at 3:00pm as they travel to Mohawk Valley Community College.

 

The Genesee Community College women's soccer team defeated the visiting Niagara County Community College Thunderwolves by a final score of 3-2 on Thursday afternoon.

Niagara scored the first goal of the contest 14 minutes in when Victoria Gray got a shot past Genesee keeper Nicole Patterson. The Cougars would tie the contest fifteen minutes later when Dana Hansen found the back of the net. Shelby Hatfield earned the assist.

The second half saw Genesee get out to a two goal lead as Kaitlyn Bowers and Rachel Ball scored to make it 3-1. Niagara would score one of their own late in the half as Alison Conner tallied the goal, but it was not enough as GCC held on for the 3-2 victory.

Patterson made nine saves to pick up GCC's second consecutive victory of the season.

The Lady Cougars (2-3-1) will return to action on Saturday afternoon at 1:00pm when they travel to Mohawk Valley Community College.

Pembroke Boys Varsity Soccer Team gets first win

By Rick D. Franclemont

A 2-0 win over Attica gave the Pembroke Boys Varsity Soccer Team its first win since soccer was brought back to the school last year. The Dragons took the early lead on a goal by Austin Franclemont with Tyler Ross on the assist. The team then played a solid game in front of Morgan McGiveron, who was perfect in goal stopping all the shots he faced. The insurance goal was scored by Gabe Birkby, assisted by Collin Lewis. 

More pictures of the game can be seen here http://francletography.photoshelter.com/gallery/Pembroke-Boys-Varsity-Soccer-vs-Attica-9-11-2012/G0000bgZIx.lYVGo/C0000y8oiGr6YbrY

Genesee sweeps Jefferson

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College men’s soccer team eased passed Jefferson Community College on Tuesday evening, defeating the visiting Cannoneers by a final score 9-0.

The opening half saw the Cougars score twice in the first ten minutes as Declan Brennan and Dominic Francis each beat the Jefferson goalkeeper to put the Cougars out in front. Genesee then continued to put the game on cruise control as Lee Micklethwaite and Nathan Rose scored late in the opening half to send Genesee into halftime with a 4-0 lead.

The Cougars upped the lead to 5-0 just three minutes into the second half as Ryan Dunn found the back of the net. Two minutes later, Francis would score his second of the match on a penalty kick to up the score to 6-0. The Cougars added three more goals in the later stages of the second half on goals by Micklethwaite, his second, Francis' third, and Sean Hallas to make the final score 9-0.

Jake O’Leary made four saves to earn the shutout, the third of the season for GCC.

With the win, Genesee improves to 4-1 on the season. The Cougars return to action on Thursday at 5pm when they host Niagara County Community College

 

 

The Genesee Community College women’s soccer team shut out the visiting Jefferson Community College Cannoners 1-0 on Tuesday evening, earning their first victory of the season.

Denae McGrath scored the first and only goal of the contest for the Cougars in the 16th minute to give Genesee a lead they would hold on to.

(#16 Dana Hansen challenges a jump ball in win over Jefferson Community College)

Jefferson nearly tied the game twice in the second half, but Nicole Patterson made two big saves to keep the Cannoneers off the board. In the 12th minute, Patterson tipped a shot off of a free kick over the cross bar and followed with a diving save off of a corner kick in the 25th minute.

Patterson made seven saves in net.

The win is the first for the Lady Cougars and the first for head coach Caitlin Long.

Genesee (1-3-1) returns to action on Thursday at 3pm at home when they take on Niagara County Community College.

GCC Soccer: Men roll, late goal dooms Women

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College men’s soccer team cruised to their third victory of the season on Saturday afternoon, handling visiting Onondaga Community College 7-0.

The Cougars struck early when Theo Stamotopolous beat the OCC goalkeeper just a minute and a half into the opening period to put Genesee in front 1-0. Nathan Rose made it 2-0 with a goal in the 15th minute, and then assisted on a Lee Micklethwaite goal about six minutes later to give the Cougars a three-goal lead. Sam Cassidy and George Anthony followed with goals in the 32nd and 34th minutes to cap off a five-goal first half, sending GCC into the break with the lead.

(Theo Stamotopolous, right, celebrates his first half goal in win over OCC on Saturday)

Jake O’Leary and Cameron Evans weren’t tested often in net, but combined for the shutout, the second of the year for Genesee. Dom Francis added a goal in the fourth minute of the second half before Cassidy scored his second of the game in the 25th minute to put the finishing touches on OCC.

The win improves Genesee to 3-1 on the season. The Cougars will return to action on Tuesday afternoon when they host Jefferson Community College at 4pm.

 

The Genesee Community College women’s soccer team played host to Onondaga Community College on Saturday evening, still searching for their first win of the season.

Both teams played nearly 90 minutes of even, scoreless soccer before Emily Parker cashed in the only goal of the game in the 88th minute off of an assist from Olivia Ferlenda. The play was a result of a free kick just outside of the box.

Genesee played well defensively all afternoon, not allowing many scoring chances for OCC.

(#19 Taylor Vanderkooi goes for a steal late in the game against OCC)

 

The Lady Cougars’ best scoring chance came late in the first half when Megan McDonald sent a cross into the middle of the box that was snared by the OCC goalkeeper.

With the loss, Genesee falls to 0-3-1 on the season. The Lady Cougars will host Jefferson Community College on Tuesday night at 6pm.

Monroe handles Genesee

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College men’s soccer team had a difficult home test Wednesday afternoon as they fell to arch-rival Monroe Community College by a final score of 4-1. 

The Tribunes dominated play from the outset and out-shot the Cougars 14-9 in the contest.  

(#2 Theo Stamotopolous goes for a header against MCC on Wednesday afternnon)

Dominic Francis scored the lone goal for the Cougars in the first half to cut the MCC lead to 2-1.  Theo Stamotopolus assisted Francis on the marker.  

Seamus Sharkey, Daniel Tesoro (2 goals) and Ngwese Ebangwese all scored for MCC, who moves to 4-0 on the season while the Cougars fall to 1-1. 

Jake O’Leary made 10 saves for Genesee in the losing effort. 

The Cougars return to action on Thursday at 5:00pm on the road against Erie Community College.

Genesee ties Mercyhurst North East

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College women's soccer team played to a 1-1 tie to open up the 2012 fall season at home on Thursday afternoon against Mercyhurst North East.

Genesee scored that game's first goal in the 17th minute when Kaeleigh DiSalvo (Oakfield, NY) beat the Lady Saints goalkeeper to put GCC on top 1-0.

Mercyhurst answered just a few minutes later to tie the game at one.

(#2 Denae McGrath leads the charge for the Lady Cougars on Thursday afternoon)

After a scoreless remainder of the first half a 45 scoreless minutes in the second half, both teams played even soccer for two, ten-minute overtime periods, finishing in a tie.

Nicole Patterson (Hilton, NY) made five saves in net for the Lady Cougars.

Genesee (0-0-1) will return to action on Saturday afternoon when they host Broome Community College at 1pm.

Annual event brings top soccer talent to Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

This weekend, nearly 100 spectators will be in at the Batavia Sports Park to watch an anticipated 800 boys and girls high-school soccer players -- the premier players in the region -- display their skills at the 6th Annual Empire Cup College Showcase.

From a press release:

Similar events are held annually in places like Ohio, Florida, Maryland and Nevada.

"It's not something that we invented obviously, but we've been sending teams all over for college showcases, and about five years ago we thought it was time to have one in Western New York," tournament Director Michael Henderson said.

The timing must have been right. Henderson, a high-school coach himself in Rochester, said the recruiter turnout was beyond what was originally expected.

"It's nice for the coaches, because for them, it's relatively local," said Henderson. "They don't have to travel as far either."

Due in part to the tournament's connection to college coaching circles, it has taken major steps in aiding the recruiters ability to see who they want, and when.

Prior to the start of the weekend, each participating player has the option of filling out an online profile. That, in turn, gives the recruiting coaches an idea of each player's personal feelings about school, including what they want to study and what their soccer ambitions are.

Also, the form allows for players to submit GPA numbers and other pertinent test scores such as the SAT or ACT, giving the coaches an advanced screening as to whether or not certain players have the grades to get in.

"It helps tremendously knowing that going into the tournament," Henderson said. "You may see some great players, but at the end of the day, they may not by able to get into your school. Obviously you are looking for good athletic ability and game understanding, but it has to be a fit with your college."

To go with that, tournament organizers were overly stringent on who was going to be playing. As youth soccer goes, this field ended up being extremely competitive and draws teams from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Vermont, as well as New York and Canada.

Forty-six premier teams will compete, and many were turned away.

"We didn't accept everybody,"  says Henderson. "This is somewhat an elite tournament. It's for the kids that are serious about going on and playing in college."

"We have the interest, we have the need and we have the facility," Henderson said. "I'm pretty sure we'll do this again next year, and hopefully for many years to come."

Photos: Olympic soccer clinic at GCC

By Howard B. Owens

Soccer players from throughout the region were in Batavia on Saturday for an Olympic soccer clinic. These photos are from a session held at Genesee Community College in the afternoon.

SC Genesee Lancers u19 Girls set to begin a big season

By Chris Chilano

The S.C. Genesee Lancers under 19 Girls soccer team is ready to start it's 2012 season. After weeks of practicing, the team will start it's indoor season in a few weeks with the Pal-Mac Indoor Tournament in Palmyra-Macedon.

The girls are coming off a fantastic 2011 season in which, as the youngest team in the u19 R.D.Y.S.L., they went 7-1-2 in league play finishing just 1 point out of first place. The ladies also won 4 tournaments and placed 2nd in 4 others.

With 17 returning players, expectations are high as the team prepares for 2012. Leading the way on offense is Erin Cleveland, a senior at Pavilion H.S. who led the league in scoring in 2011. Alishia Newman, a Medina graduate who currently attends and plays at Niagara Community College, Marissa Pangrazio, a senior at Elba H.S., and Randi Snopkowski, a junior at Warsaw H.S., anchor the high scoring offense which led the league in scoring last season. Captains Dana Sass (Daemen College/Cal-Mum H.S.) and Michelle Nanni (St. Bonaventure/Oakfield H.S.) along with Taylor Jaszko (G.C.C./Batavia H.S.) also help lead the way offensively.

On defense, 2-time All-State defender Danielle Casaceli, from Cal-Mum, and Sam Burnside, also a Cal-Mum graduate attending Finger Lakes C.C., help lead the top defense in the league, in front of Megan Mase, Batavia H.S. Senior All-County goalkeeper. Mase led the league in shutouts, least goals allowed, and wins last season as well. Also leading the way on defense is Sharon Husung (Medina H.S.), Alicia Brenkus (Pembroke H.S.), and Carley Dylag (Pembroke H.S.), as well as newcomers Haley Cunningham (Leroy H.S.), and Raven Bentkowski (Oakfield H.S.).

The strength of the team in its midfield, led by captain Dani Cecere (Roberts Wesleyan/Batavia H.S.), Anna Rath (Medina H.S.), Taylor Vanderkooi (G.C.C./Oakfield H.S.), and Amanda Disalvo (Batavia H.S.), is a big reason the Lancers have had so much success. Rayleigh Staba, a sophomore midfielder from Leroy H.S., who played with the Lancers the last half of 2011, joins the team full time and will immediatley contribute. Also joining the team fulltime are Rachel Hayward (SUNY Geneseo/Leroy H.S.) and Danielle Lambert (Daemen/Leroy H.S.).

The team has a full slate of indoor tournaments starting in Pal-Mac and continuing through early April, playing in a total of 10 tourney's all together before heading outside in April. While the outdoor schedule has not yet been released, the team is planning to play in the Roanoke, Virginia Showcase tourney in late July, as well as 1-2 other tournaments in Western New York.

The team is coached by Chris Chilano, with assistants Jessie Jaszko and Kylee Jones.

Genesee falls in national championship

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College Men’s Soccer Team took the pitch against Herkimer County Community College for the second time this season on Sunday afternoon, this time to play for the NJCAA National Championship.

The Generals of Herkimer built a 1-0 lead in front of their home crowd about 15 minutes in, when Charlie Anderson lofted a shot over GCC goalkeeper Joe Agerskow (East Yorkshire, England) that crossed the goal line just in front of a hustling Barry Kinsella (Dublin, Ireland). The Cougars nearly tied the game two minutes later when Ryan Fredal (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) sent a header just under the cross bar that six-foot-five Herkimer goalkeeper Davion Bailey stretched out to save.

The Generals kept pressure on Genesee throughout the first half, but Agerskow came up with a couple of saves to keep the Cougars in it. In the 21st minute, Agerskow was able to get a hand on a point-blank shot that was ultimately steered aside by defender Josh Gray (Norwich, England), and put a halt to a low liner from inside the box with two minutes to play to keep the score 1-0 at the half.

Herkimer added goals in the 51st and 52nd minute to build a 3-0 lead with just over 37 minutes to play. Peter Keegan (Dublin, Ireland) nearly put GCC on the board in the 66th minute when he corralled a loose ball 10 yards outside of the goal crease and blasted a shot just inches wide of the far post. The Cougars were able to break through with just over 11 minutes left when Brady Smith (Brisbane, Australia) drilled a shot that found the upper 90 to beat Bailey and draw GCC within two.

The lead was too much to overcome, however, and Herkimer added a fourth goal late in the second half to seal the victory and earn the 4-1 win.

The loss was only the second on the year for GCC who finishes the season 16-2-2 and NJCAA National runner-up. Brady Smith, Jonny Bonner (Buncrana, Ireland) and Josh Gray were named to the NJCAA National All-Tournament team for GCC.

The win for Herkimer claims their 8th Men’s Soccer National Championship in college history and their second in four years.

Genesee to play for National Championship

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College Men’s Soccer Team will play for the NJCAA National Championship on Sunday, after beating Anoka-Ramsey Community College (Minn.) 3-0 in the semifinals Friday afternoon at Herkimer County Community College.

The Cougars struck early on in the snow-filled match, when Theo Stamatopolous (Norwich, England) sent a cross to Jonny Bonner (Buncrana, Ireland) that Bonner buried into the back of the net during the second minute of play. GCC would threaten a couple of more times during the first half, but could not increase their lead.

The Genesee defense, missing Jack West (Notts, England) and Declan Brennan (Dublin, Ireland) due to injury, stayed solid, thanks in part to defender Ryan Fredal (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) and goalkeeper Joe Agerskow (East Yorkshire, England). Agerskow aggressively came out of the net to make two big saves in the later part of the first half to keep the Rams off the board. GCC took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

(Genesee CC celebrates Jonny Bonner's first half goal)

In the second half, the Cougars missed a scoring opportunity about four minutes in when Dom Francis (Huddersfield, England) found an open net with the goalkeeper out of position, but his shot was saved by a defender who stepped in. Genesee was able to score when Peter Keegan (Dublin, Ireland) sent a blast from just outside the box past the Rams' goalkeeper to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead with 30 minutes to play. Just four minutes later, Sean Brettell (Welwyn Garden City, England) scored his second goal of the national tournament by sending a header off of a Josh Gray (Norwich, England) free kick into the net, giving GCC the 3-0 lead.

The lead was kept safe by Agerskow who made a breakaway save with 18 minutes to play and followed it with a diving save off of a corner kick less than a minute later.

Genesee controlled possession for the remainder of the second half and ended Anoka-Ramsey’s season with the 3-0 win.

Genesee advances to the NJCAA National Championship game and will take on Herkimer County Community College which defeated Nassau Community College 5-0 on Friday. It will be a rematch of an Oct. 18th meeting in which GCC beat Herkimer, then ranked number one in the country, 1-0. The match will be played on Sunday at noon on the Herkimer campus.

GCC Men's Soccer advances in national tournament

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College Men’s Soccer Team came back to defeat Manchester Community College (Conn.) 4-2 in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA National Tournament on Thursday afternoon at SUNY IT in Utica.

Rain was falling throughout the match and made for a slick pitch during the battle of the Cougars. GCC narrowly gave up the game’s first goal six minutes in, when goalkeeper Jack West (Notts, England) came out of the net to make a save. The shot was turned aside by West but remained in the box with a vacated net. Manchester managed to get a shot on goal but defender Josh Gray (Norwich, England) stepped in to make the save and keep the game scoreless.

Genesee controlled possession for the better part of the first half and capitalized in the 11th minute when Sean Brettell (Welwyn Garden City, England) finished a nice cross from Dom Francis (Huddersfield, England) to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. About 12 minutes later, Peter Keegan (Dublin, Ireland) came within inches of increasing the lead to two when his shot off of a free kick went just wide of the Manchester net.

The Cougars of Manchester responded late in the first half scoring off of a corner kick in the 37th minute and then netting the go-ahead goal with just 40 seconds to play in the first half to take a 2-1 lead into the break.

The number-one team in the country would respond after the intermission and came out putting pressure on the District G champions from the very beginning of the half.

Five minutes in, Brettell tried to return the favor by sending a cross Francis’s way, but Francis’s shot sailed just wide. Genesee kept play in the Manchester end and cashed in the equalizer when Ryan Fredal (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) pushed a header off of a throw in by Gray past the Manchester goalkeeper 10 minutes into the second half.

With the score tied at 2, Theo Stamatopolous (Norwich, England) found good position on two occasions but could not connect on a Jonny Bonner (Buncrana, Ireland) long ball or a Keegan cross to put GCC on top.

The Cougars did take the lead with a little over 14 minutes to play on an own goal. Gray sent a bid into the box that was inadvertently knocked into the Manchester net by a Cougar defender. Gray was credited with the eventual game winning goal.

With a 3-2 lead, Genesee added an insurance goal with just over 5 minutes to play when Brandon Reiner (Attica) scored from just inside the box, icing the game and giving GCC the 4-2 win.

Genesee (15-1-2) advances to the NJCAA National semi-finals which will take place tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 at Herkimer County Community College. The Cougars will take on Anoka-Ramsey Community College out of Minnesota. The Rams, ranked #5 in the country, represent District C and sport a 14-2-2 record. They advanced after beating Howard Community College (Md.) 3-1 on Thursday afternoon. The winner of tomorrow’s contest will move on to play for the NJCAA National Championship on Sunday afternoon.

GCC Men's Soccer opens national tournament as #1 ranked team

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College Men's Soccer Team has arrived in Utica, where players will begin their bid for an NJCAA National Championship.

GCC (14-1-2) enters the national tournament as the #1 team in the country and will play Manchester Community College (Conn.) tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 on the campus of SUNY IT.

Herkimer County Community College will host the eight-team tournament, which also includes Bergen Community College (N.J.), Anoka-Ramsey Community College (Minn.), Nassau Community College (N.Y.), Union County College (N.J.), Howard Community College (Md.) and Herkimer County Community College.

The full 2011 NJCAA DIII Men’s Soccer Championship Schedule:
Thursday, Nov. 10
Game 1 – Howard vs. Anoka-Ramsey, 11 a.m. at SUNY IT in Utica
Game 2 – Genesee vs. Manchester, 1:30 p.m. at SUNY IT
Game 3 – Herkimer County vs. Bergen CC, 11 a.m. at Herkimer 
Game 4 – Nassau vs. Union, 1:30 p.m. at Herkimer

Friday, Nov. 11
Game 5 – Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2, 11 a.m. at SUNY IT
Game 6 – Loser of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4, 1:30 p.m. at SUNY IT
Game 7 – Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 (National Semifinal), 11 a.m. at Herkimer 
Game 8 – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 (National Semifinal), 1:30 p.m. at Herkimer

Sunday, Nov. 13
Game 9 – National Championship – Winner of Game 8 vs. Winner of Game 9, 12 PM at Herkimer

*Live video-streaming is available at www.njcaatv.ihigh.com

GCC Men's Soccer wins regional crown

By Andrew Crofts

The #3-ranked Genesee Community College Men's Soccer Team won the Region III title on Saturday, defeating Tompkins-Cortland Community College 3-1. In doing so, the Cougars also advance to the NJCAA National Tournament.

GCC started the game off at a high pace and was rewarded with its first goal after 13 minutes when Brady Smith (Brisbane, Australia) played a low ball across the box for Sean Brettel (Welwyn Garden City, London) to apply the finishing touch.

The Cougars increased their lead four minutes later when Dom Francis (Huddersfield, England) scored with the assist going to Josh Gray (Norwich, England). Tompkins-Cortland drew within one with an early second-half goal off of a corner kick. Genesee netted an insurance goal In the 71st minute when Brettel scored his second goal of the game, sealing the victory and the regional title for GCC.


Barry Kinsella (Dublin, Ireland) and Dom Francis were named to the All-Tournament Team. Sean Brettel was named Player of the Tournament.

GCC Moves Past Erie

By Andrew Crofts

The top seed Genesee Community College men’s soccer team hosted Erie Community College in the quarterfinals of the Region III playoffs on Tuesday afternoon, and cruised past the #8 seeded Kats 8-1.

In a rematch of last year’s opening round regional playoff game, a game in which Erie upset Genesee 3-2, the Cougars controlled the match from start to finish. Jonny Bonner (Donegal, Ireland) gave GCC a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the game. Ten minutes later, Dom Francis (Huddersfield, England) upped the lead to 2-0. The scored remained 2-0 at the half.

(Members of the Genesee CC men's Soccer team celebrate Jonny Bonner's first half goal in an 8-1 win over Erie CC on Tuesday afternoon)

In the second half, Brady Smith (Brisbane, Australia) gave Genesee a 3-0 lead when he scored in the 12th minute. Erie scored their lone goal in the 16th minute before Smith scored again off of a nice cross from Brandon Reiner (Attica, NY) to give GCC a 4-1 lead. The Cougars added another goal from Bonner, two goals from Sean Brettel (Welwyn Garden City, England) and a late goal from Theo Stamatopolous (Norwich, England) to win in convincing fashion.

Genesee improves to 13-1-2 on the season. They will move on in the Region III playoffs to face Tompkins Cortland Community College, who defeated Onondaga Community College 2-0 on Tuesday, at TCCC in the semi finals on Saturday afternoon.

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