POMONA, N.J. – Two late goals from freshman
Michael Jean-Charles (Bradenton, Fla./Brien McMahon High School) and senior
Steve Singson (Deer Park, N.Y./St. Anthony's) helped to propel the Manhattanville College men's soccer team into the ECAC Metro/Upstate Championship game Saturday as the Valiants defeated top seeded Stockton University 2-1.
The Valiants (10-6-4 overall) fell behind early in the first half, when Stockton's Anthony Colofranson flicked a ball over the head of senior goalkeeper
Willie Silber (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem East) to give the Ospreys (14-6-1 overall) the early 1-0 advantage.
After struggling during the first half, Manhattanville battled back in the second half, controlling the pace of play and getting much better offensive opportunities. After applying heavy pressure, the Valiants finally broke through in the 80th minute, when freshman
Michael Jean-Charles (Bradenton, Fla./Brien McMahon High School) knocked home a loose ball in the box to level the score 1-1.
It took Manahttanville just two minutes to take the lead after that. After drawing a foul outside the penalty area, senior
Steve Singson (Deer Park, N.Y./St. Anthony's) buried the free kick to give the Valiants the lead for good.
"We took a while to get into the game," said head coach
Gregg Miller. "But credit to the team for rallying in the second half and getting a deserved win. Now we have to rest and refocus for tomorrow. Whoever we play, it will be a very challenging game."
Manhattanville's comeback win is impressive on several levels, with the team able to knock off number one seeded Stockton on the road, having come off of another comeback victory in the quarterfinals against Alfred University. "It was a great achievement to win these two games, especially after a grueling two days of travel and knocking off two higher seeds on the road," said Miller.
The Valiants will be awaiting the winner of Rutgers-Newark and Drew University tonight. Gametime for that contest is 6:00 P.M. with the winner advancing to the championship game Sunday. A Rutgers-Newark win would send Manhattanville to New Jersey, and a Drew win could bring the championship game to Purchase.
Information regarding Sunday's championship will be posted on GoValiants.com later this evening after the Valiants' opponent has been determined.
