ALBANY – Sage won their first Skyline Championship in program history and secured their bid into the 2015 NCAA Tournament with a thrilling 2-0 victory over Farmingdale on Saturday afternoon.
"I'm very proud of the team and their efforts on the field today," said head coach Kyle Clancy. "We came into camp as the preseason number, and the guys proved day in and day out that they wanted a championship. They've worked hard all season and deserve this moment."
Sage (13-3-3) got out to an early lead in the 4th minute when River Seybolt (Seldon, NY/Longwood) found the back of the net in the six yard box off a Alex Lanza (Poughkeepsie, NY/Spackenkill) assist.
Both sides continued to exchange fire for the next 35 minute. Sage looked as though they were going to score their second goal of the half on back-to-back shots by Sarpong Adjei (Bronx, NY/NeWitt Clinton), Peter Fabrykiewicz (Delancey, NY/Andes) and James Lagunas (Passaic, NJ/Passaic County Technical), but Farmingdale goalie Kevin Gordillo stuffed all Gator attempts to keep it a one goal game going into the half.
After nine minutes of play, a foul was called on Farmingdale (10-9-2) just outside the right corner of the penalty box. Alex Lanza struck the Rams wall on his first attempt, but successfully buried the rebound to put the Gators up 2-0 in the 56th minute.
Down two goals, the Rams applied heavy pressure to the Gator defense. Farmingdale's Victor Romero looked as though he was going to lessen the Ram's deficit in the 68thminute, but Sage goalie TJ Zehner (Beacon, NY/Beacon) came up with a beautiful tip over the top of the goal to secure the shutout and conference title.
Zehner and the Gator defense of Kyle LeClerc (Beacon, NY/Beacon), Luis Teran (Farmingville, NY/Newfield), Joe Diano (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay), Andrew Bartoah (New Haven, CT/Eli Whitney) and Christian Pinti (Slate Hill, NY/Minisink Valley) recorded their 12th shutout of the season. They currently rank 1st in the Skyline and 6th in all of NCAA division III in shutout percentage (.67). Zehner also ranks 1st in the Skyline and 28th in all of NCAA division III in save percentage (.856).
Lagunas led the Gators with four shots and Seybolt's game-winner ranks him 1st in the Skyline and 19th in all of the NCAA division III in game-winning goals (five).
Sage is goes into the NCAA tournament led offensively by Seybolt (23 points, nine goals, five assists), Fabrykiewicz (21 points, nine goals, three assists), Paul Reynoso (Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley) (16 points, five goals, six assists) and Alex Lanza (11 points, three goals, five assists).
Zehner (13-3-3) was credited with the win on an eight save effort while Gordillo (7-6-1) picked up the loss on 11 saves. Zehner's 13th win broke his 2012 Sage record for most wins in a single-season.
During the awards ceremony, senior captain Sean Lanza (Poughkeepsie, NY/Spackenkill), was named the 2015 Skyline Championship Most Outstanding Player for his efforts at central midfield.
"I can't say enough good things about Sean," said Clancy about his MOP. "He is has been the rock of our midfield all year, and has been an amazing leader for the these guys. He's an exemplary person and is very deserving of this award."
The NCAA Tournament Selection Show for division III men's soccer will take place at 1:30 pm on Mon. Nov. 9. Click on the link above to tune in.
