Press Releases

September 28, 1998
Colonials Soccer Ranked 1st in Region, 4th in Nation After Stunning SCSU

Southampton College's "Swedish 7" Lead Team To Its Highest Ranking Ever; 7-0-0 Colonials End Southern Connecticut's 5-year, 56-game Home Win Streak

Contact:
Joe Dionisio
(516) 287 8313
Fax: (516) 283 4081

Southampton, NY -- For the first time in its history, the men?s soccer team at Southampton College of Long Island University is ranked 1st in the region and 4th in the nation, following a stunning Sept. 26 upset over perennial soccer powerhouse Southern Connecticut State University.

The Colonials' 1-0 double overtime road victory-- the biggest regular season win in their 34 years, and one of the most momentous in Southampton College sports annals-- halted SCSU's 56-game winning streak dating to 1993. SCSU, winner of three titles in the 1990s, was ranked 5th nationally before facing Southampton.

"I've never seen us defend so well as a unit," said Head Coach Ed Goodhines. "We're a very cohesive team, maybe because we have such a small roster."

SWEDE SUCCESS. The upset over SCSU, like most Southampton wins this season, was made possible by the seven Swedes on the 16-man roster. In the second OT, Johan Kron stole the ball and fed leading scorer Andreas Lindberg, who scored the winning goal. A third Swede, goalkeeper Roger Svensson, was also a factor with seven saves.

"We're playing more of a European game than ever," said Goodhines, who took over in 1991 and has since enjoyed a growing legacy of Scandinavian talent. "The Swedes play with a lot of finesse, and elevate everyone's level."

No team in the conference, and perhaps none in the nation, has more Swedes on its soccer roster. Word of mouth is one reason for the steady pipeline of Swedish talent. Last season, Southampton's only 1st team NYCAC selection was Martin Sidenvall of Hudiksvall. Bjorn Almroth of Sundsvall, a '96 graduate, is the school's all-time leading scorer.

The current "Swedish Seven" feel right at home at Southampton, where the gold-and-navy school colors are much like the yellow-and-blue of the Tre Kronor flag.

The "Swedish Seven" on the Colonials have not only influenced the team?s soccer playing style. Many of their American and Canadian teammates can be heard uttering phrases in Swedish, and some have gone as far as dying their hair blond. The Scandinavian contingent includes:

• Junior forward Johan Kron of Floda, who has scored 11 points in 7 games. His 18 goals in 1997 broke countryman Bjorn Almroth?s team record of 16.
• Co-captain and goalkeeper Roger Svensson of Solvesborg, a 1997 New York Collegiate Athletic Conference 2nd team selection. The sophomore is one of the top goalies in Southampton College history.
• Junior defender Mans Selander of Floda.
• Freshman forward Andreas Lindberg of Malmo, who leads the team with 6 goals and 12 points.
• Freshman midfielder Staffan Linne of Stockholm.
• Freshman midfielder Carl Lindgren of Stenkullen.
• Freshman Johan Lindquist of Goteborg, a 6-foot-5 defender.

With wins over Sacred Heart (the season opener), Stony Brook, East Stroudsburg, Molloy, St. Rose, Bloomsburg and SCSU, the Colonials (7-0-0) are now ranked 4th in Division II soccer. Southampton College was ranked 16th last week, and 24th in pre-season polls by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Southampton's next game is Wednesday, Sept. 30 at NJ Institute of Technology, followed by a home match on Saturday, Oct. 3 vs. West Chester at 3 p.m.