2008 Game Summaries

Sept. 6: Susquehanna 2, Allegheny 0
Sept. 5: Susquehanna 1, SUNY Oneonta 0
Aug. 30: Susquehanna 3, Wheeling Jesuit 1

Sept. 6: Susquehanna 2, Allegheny 0 Box Score

ONEONTA, N.Y. — Susquehanna University defeated Allegheny College, 2–0, in the championship game of the Mayor's Cup men's soccer tournament hosted by SUNY Oneonta on Sept. 6.

In addition to bringing home the title, the Crusaders collected two Mayor’s Cup All-Tournament team spots. Sophomore midfielder Brandon Eisenhart (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) was named offensive MVP, while sophomore keeper, B.J. Merriam (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional), was named defensive MVP.

Susquehanna (3–0) tallied their third win of the season shutting out Allegheny (1–2). In doing so, sophomore forward Rhyan Nelson (Manalapan Twp., N.J./St. John Vianney) and junior midfielder Ralph Larsen (McElhattan, Pa./Central Mountain) each grabbed a goal to capture the championship.

In the 22nd minute, sophomore midfielder Jim Robertiello (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendham) booted a pass across the box to find Nelson’s feet. Nelson connected and sent the ball into the top left corner of the goal to take a 1–0 lead.

The Crusaders put the game away at 77:59 when Larsen found the back of the net off an assist from senior defender Matt Campbell (Leola, Pa./Conestoga Valley).

Susquehanna held a 10–8 advantage in shots and took 12 corner kicks to the Gators' seven.

In goal for the Crusaders, Merriam tallied his second shutout of the weekend making two saves.

Sept. 5: Susquehanna 1, SUNY Oneonta 0 Box Score

ONEONTA, N.Y. — Visiting Susquehanna University defeated host SUNY Oneonta, 1–0, in the opening game of the Mayor's Cup men's soccer tournament on Sept. 5.

Susquehanna (2–0) tallied their second win of the season shutting out Oneonta (2–1) on a 51st minute goal. Sophomore midfielder Brandon Eisenhart (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) connected with a loose ball at the top of the penalty box and hit the upper right hand corner of the goal to earn the Crusaders the win.

At the 33 minute mark, sophomore midfielder Jim Robertiello (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendham) chanced breaking the 0–0 stalemate; however Oneonta junior Matt Lindemann cleared the ball off the goal line to keep the game scoreless.

Susquehanna held a 16–9 advantage in shots, including an 11–5 edge in the first half, and took eight corner kicks to the Red Dragons' three.

In goal for the Crusaders, sophomore B.J. Merriam (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) tallied three saves with a key save at 65:19 to preserve the orange and maroon win.

Aug. 30: Susquehanna 3, Wheeling Jesuit 1 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Sophomore forward Rhyan Nelson (Manalapan Twp., N.J./St. John Vianney) and sophomore midfielder Jim Robertiello (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendham) each scored one goal and added an assist to help lead Susquehanna University to a 3–1 win over Wheeling Jesuit University in a men's soccer game at Sassafras Fields on Aug. 30.

Junior midfielder Andrew Cordell Carey (Fenwick Island, Del./Indian River) scored the other goal for NCAA Division III Susquehanna (1–0 overall) off an assist from freshman midfielder Bobby Long (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional). Sophomore B.J. Merriam (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) made five saves for the Crusaders.

Neither team scored until Cordell Carey beat the Wheeling Jesuit goalkeeper in the 66th minute after corralling a long cross from Long. Nelson finished a Robertiello cross in the 87th minute to provide some insurance, but Wheeling Jesuit made things interesting with a goal only 13 seconds later.

Robertiello finished a Nelson pass with 38 seconds left in the game to ice it.

Susquehanna held a 17–9 advantage in shots, including a 9–1 edge in the first half, and took three corner kicks to the Cardinals' two.