Press Releases

October 16, 1999
Southampton College Men's Soccer Tops Dowling in Battle of Long Island's Best

Goal by Mike LaCarrubba of Ronkonkoma, NY, Gives Unbeaten Colonials a 2-1 Win

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

Southampton, NY -- The men's soccer team at Southampton College of Long Island University remains unbeaten after senior Mike LaCarrubba of Ronkonkoma, NY, scored the game-winning goal in the 77th minute to give the Colonials a 2-1 win over Dowling on Saturday, Oct. 16.

In a penalty-filled battle that Newsday correctly termed "the soccer game of the year," Southampton earned bragging rights for Long Island soccer.

The undefeated Colonials (12-0-1, 5-0 in the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference) entered the game ranked no. 1 in the Northeast and no. 3 in the nation. The Golden Lions, who began the day no. 2 in the Northeast and no. 9 nationally, fall to 10-3-1 (2-1 in NYCAC).

LaCarrubba broke a 1-1- tie by heading in a perfect cross from Yugoslavian-born defender Dusan Erceg. Rich Stoia, a junior from Shirley, NY, scored a first-half goal for Southampton on a pass from Staffan Linne of Stockholm, Sweden.

Colonials goalkeeper Roger Svensson of Solvesborg, Sweden, allowed just one goal early in the second-half, then shut down Dowling the rest of the afternoon.

"Only two teams from the Northeast qualify for the NCAA tournament, so our guys had a lot at stake today," said Southampton head coach Ed Goodhines. "We played a tremendous game."

With 11 nations represented on the field, the game had an international feel. Southampton carries 8 Swedish players on its roster, while Dowling has 7 players from Guinea, West Africa.

The Colonials' pipeline of Scandinavian soccer talent, which continues to grow via word of mouth in Sweden, began in 1993. No team in the conference, and perhaps none in the nation, has more Swedes on its soccer roster.

Southampton's next game is Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. at home vs. New Haven.