GAME FILM – POSTGAME INTERVIEWS – The College of Staten Island men’s soccer team rolled to a 2-0 start to the season, powering past Purchase State College, 3-0, at part of the CSO Fall Classic at the CSI Soccer Complex.  The Dolphins opened up what was a modest 1-0 halftime lead, enjoying a tremendous, 30-3, shot advantage in the game.

The Dolphins dominated the game in long stretches, controlling gameplay through steady up-field passes and attacks from the wings.  Defensively, the Dolphins were stout as well, holding Purchase to just a few short bursts of offense in the opening stanza.  Still, CSI wasn’t able to register in the first half until late, as Purchase starting goalkeeper Jade Aubertin was able to register four saves and interrupt a series of CSI flurries at the top of the box.

The Dolphins made their first substitution with 20 minutes to go in the first half by way of Marcin Klim, CSI’s 2015 leading scorer.  Klim immediately earned an opportunity in the box, putting a rebound wide.  Shortly after, however, freshman Ryan Layman secured a punt from keeper Jake Foeldes from just outside midfield, spinning a ball on the sideline to midfielder Ali Fares.  The sophomore sent a low cross from inside the box into the goalmouth that Klim tapped in past a beaten Aubertin to give CSI a 1-0 edge with 14:45 to go in the frame.  That goal would hold until halftime, as CSI enjoyed a 15-1 edge in shots to that point.

Despite the lop-sided statistical advantage, the Dolphins still needed insurance, and with Purchase needing to press for an equalizer, CSI took advantage.  With play tempered to the counterattack, the Dolphins finally broke through again in the 66th minute.  This time after a feverish attack CSI earned a throw-in dep into Panthers territory.  First-year junior Adrian Cosovic collected near the goal line, gaining the box and sending a pass across the line to an open Klim, who headed the ball through to double CSI’s lead.  

Three minutes later, with CSI getting fresh legs in after a substitution, the Dolphins tallied again.  This time an attacking attempt by Ruben Diaz at the top of the box merited a foul against Purchase.  After deliberation, Nermin Kurtesi was the man to step in and take the shot, and he sent a sterling bender into the top corner of goal passed a helpless Aubertin to give CSI the 3-0 lead with just a hair under 20 minutes to play.  It was Kurtesi’s first marker of the season and CSI’s first via a direct kick.

From there, the Dolphins were on cruise control, sending swelling numbers to the back of the pitch to defend its lead.  CSI reserve keeper Antonio Lynch registered CSI’s only official save in the game in the final minutes as he and Foeldes combined for the clean sheet.  The Dolphins finished with 10 shots on goal and after a full 90 minutes held a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.  The lone booking in the game came against CSI’s Vasyl Fedortsi, who saw yellow in the 74th minute of play.

Kurtesi and Klim led all Dolphins with seven shots apiece.  Klim was CSI’s leader in goals last season with 9.

The Dolphins will return to action tomorrow afternoon at 12 Noon to take on Yeshiva University in continued Fall Classic play.  Yeshiva plays NJCU this afternoon.