The College of Staten Island men’s soccer team scored an early marker, then closed the door defensively to take a 1-0 win over Medgar Evers College today at the CSI Soccer Complex in Staten Island, NY.  CSI improved their record to 4-6 overall, and 2-0 in the CUNYAC while Medgar dropped to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the CUNYAC.

The Dolphins came out strong in the first five minutes of the game, giving the Cougars no breathing room to move or possess the ball.  The high pressure led to a turnover by the Cougars where Nobel Hadgu sent a curling through ball over the top to a streaking Nicholas Bacarella who ripped a low hard shot far post to beat keeper Kedric Flemius for his fifth goal of the year, putting the Dolphins up, 1-0.

CSI had the ball in Medgar’s final third of the field for a majority of the first half and despite taking a plethora of shots, Bacarella’s marker was the only one of the first 45 minutes. 

At the half the Dolphins were out-shooting the Cougars, 13-3, forcing Flemius to make five saves.  CSI was able to serve up three corners in the first half while the Cougars were shut out.  The Dolphins had a lot of calls go against them in the first half as they registered 9 fouls to just two for Medgar.

CSI didn’t let up on the pressure in the second half as Alfonso Castaneda almost doubled the Dolphins’ score when he received a beautiful ball which he was able to play passed the keeper but hit his shot deflected off of the near post.  Castaneda would have another golden opportunity with 12 minutes remaining but would put an easy tap in just wide of the open goal.

Marcin Klim received a yellow card in the 89th minute of the game for delaying the game which is his second of the year.

Daniel Tsygankov had the chance to put the nail in the coffin with 30 seconds left in the game when he was one-on-one with  Flemius, but the junior forward  kicked it straight into Flemius, who was able to parry it away.

The Dolphins would finish with 32 shots on the day while holding the Cougars to just seven.  Flemius was extremely active in this game as he was forced to make 11 saves while CSI keeper John Gioeli only had to make four in the shutout, his second of the year.
 
CSI will be back in action on Saturday, September 27 when they take on CUNYAC rivals Brooklyn College at 4:00 pm at the CSI Soccer Complex.