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Press Releases | |
November 22, 1999
Colonials Lose Heart-Breaker in Four OvertimesFantastic Season Celebrated
Contact:
Darren Johnson
(631) 287 8313
Fax: (631) 283 4081New Britain, Conn. -- In a physically and emotionally draining game that stretched into four overtime periods, Southampton College of Long Island University lost to Southern Connecticut State 3-2 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Tournament on Sunday.
The game pitted the country's only two undefeated Division II soccer teams. No. 1-ranked Southern Connecticut State (18-0) outlasted an injured and undermanned Colonial squad (16-1-2). "We were the top-two teams left in the tournament," said Colonials coach Ed Goodhines. "This was the National Championship and it felt like it."
No. 3 Southampton stormed back from being down 2-0 with a Johan Kron goal that came just 33 seconds after the Owls' second score. Kron rocketed a shot from 20 yards out to the upper-left corner of the net.
Owl goalie Andrew Olivieri hadn't given up a goal since September 22. He leads the NCAA with a .31 goals-against average and 10 shutouts. But down 2-1, the Colonials rallied in the game's closing minutes. They narrowly missed a couple of goals, one hitting the crossbar, until there was just 6:11 left. That's when Andreas Lindberg of Malmoe, Sweden, picked up a rebound and sent it to the back of the net to tie the game.
The contest was evenly matched. The Owls had 23 shots on goal; Southampton had 22. But the Colonials' injuries from the first round of the NCAA tournament hurt them in overtime. "Southern Connecticut doesn't miss a beat when they bring in someone off the bench," Goodhines said. "Their 18th man could start for us.
"Meanwhile, we only had one experienced sub to rotate, and by the third overtime our guys were exhausted."
Owl Paul Ayuga scored his second goal of the game in the 140th minute. Had the Colonials lasted the fourth overtime, the game would have been decided by penalty kicks. "I think we would have won that," Goodhines said, "because we have the better goalie."
Among the injured were key players: Kron couldn't run full speed after hurting his ankle in round one; Carl Lindgren of Stenhullen, Sweden, broke his leg in that same game and was out; Desmond Megna, of Mastic Beach, NY, who scored Southampton's two goals in round one, broke his wrist in practice but played with a cast; and outstanding freshman Daniel Olsson of Stenhullen, Sweden, woke up the morning of the game with a stiff neck. "That was related to an injury he had as a boy when he was trampled by a horse and broke every bone in his upper body," Goodhines said. "Daniel stiffens up and can't jump -- and he's our best when it comes to headballs."
"Southampton fought hard till the end and had a lot of heart, especially considering all the adversity they've faced," said Owl coach Tom Lang.
Goalie and co-captain Roger Svensson of Solvesborg, Sweden, ended the regular season with a stingy .60 goals-against average. The Colonials' top scorer was Kron of Floda, Sweden, who knocked in 22 goals. His 60 career goals set a school record. Southampton also was led by co-captain and stellar defender Nick Rotiroti, a native of Anjou, Montreal, and a member of the Canadian Junior Olympic team.
The Colonials took the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference (NYCAC) title with an 8-0 record. The 12-team NYCAC voted Kron Player of the Year and Goodhines Coach of the Year.
Out of 11 players named to the All-Conference First Team, an unprecedented six were from Southampton College, including Kron, Svensson, Rotiroti, midfielders Megna and Olsson, and Yugoslavian-born defender Dusan Erceg of Queens, NY.
Other players include: defender Mike LaCarrubba of Ronkonkoma, NY; defender Johan Lindquist of Goteborg, Sweden; forward Staffan Linne of Stockholm, Sweden; senior midfielder Mans Selander of Floda, Sweden; forward Rich Stoia (10 goals) of Shirley, NY; midfielder Jonathan Haulenbeek of Pennsauken, NJ; forward Corey Semo of Carthage, NY; midfielder Matt Vilbus of Whitehall, PA; backup goalie Sean Webber of Hoosick Falls, NY; and defender Colin Goin of Briarcliff, NY.
Earlier soccer stories and pictures:
Quarter Final Picture Gallery
Men's Soccer Wins in Triple Overtime
Colonials Soccer Storms the NCAAs
NCAA Picture Gallery: Earlier Rounds