2007 Game Summaries

October 31: Drew 1, Susquehanna 0 (2OT) - Landmark semifinals
October 27: Susquehanna 5, Catholic 0
October 23: York 2, Susquehanna 1
October 20: Drew 3, Susquehanna 2
October 17: Susquehanna 2, Juniata 1
October 13: Susquehanna 3, Moravian 2 (OT)
October 6: Merchant Marine 1, Susquehanna 0
October 2: Franklin & Marshall 2, Susquehanna 1
September 29: Susquehanna 0, Goucher 0 (2 OT)
September 26: Susquehanna 2, Lebanon Valley 1
September 21: Susquehanna 3, Scranton 1
September 18: Susquehanna 1, Misericordia 0
September 15: Susquehanna 0, King's 0 (2OT)
September 12: Dickinson 1, Susquehanna 0
September 7: Susquehanna 2, Lycoming 1
September 4: Susquehanna 2, SUNY-Oneonta 1 (OT)
September 1: Washington & Jefferson 1, Susquehanna 0
August 31: Susquehanna 1, Pitt-Bradford 0

Tough goal in 2OT ends Crusader season Box Score

MADISON, NJ – A controversial goal by Ranger Greg Zizik in the 104 minute of play was enough to end the Susquehanna men's soccer season.

With the game at a stalemate entering the second overtime period, the crowd rowdy and freezing alike, there were 22 men battling for a bid to the inaugural Landmark Championship game.

The Rangers earned themselves the berth in the championship game when Drew was awarded a corner at 103:11. Zizik curved his kick into the top left inches of the goal prior to Susquehanna keeper B.J. Merriam (Vorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) clearing it.

As the Drew bench rose and met with their fielded team to celebrate, the referees exchanged opinions and the Rangers were awarded the game-winner.

Throughout the game, there were plenty of crowd gasps heard as shots were fired on behalf of both teams. At 46:45 Merriam batted a ball just high of crossbar that came off the foot of Matthew Greenberg. Again, at 68:20, Merriam had another remarkable save as he pulled forward and denied a Zizik shot.

Statistically the Rangers (11-7) led Susquehanna (9-7-2) in shots 14-6 and also edged the Crusaders 6-5 in corner kicks.

In the back-and-forth battle, Susquehanna tallied 19 fouls in comparison to Drew's nine.

Merriam ended out his season making six saves in the Crusader cage; while the Rangers' Jeff Rogers registered three.

Crusaders blank Cardinals 5-0 to lock playoff spot Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. -- On a sporadically windy day at Sassafras Field, the Susquehanna men's soccer team dominated play in a 5-0 win over Catholic University of America, clinching a #3 spot in post-season play.

The first ten minutes of the game proved to be quite crucial to the final outcome of Saturday's game. The orange and maroon squad were able to compile three goals before the first half clock stuck 35.

Susquehanna's senior day game opened scoring at 4:37 when the freshman forwards, Rhyan Nelson (Manalpan, N.J./St. John Vianney) and Jim Robertiello (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendham), found themselves in scoring position. The two worked in tandem as Robertiello placed the ball at Nelson's magical feet; the outcome being a 1-0 advantage.

The second of the day would come from Nelson yet again when Isaac Laubach (Millville, Pa./Millville) fed him the ball. The Susquehanna intensity was evident both on and off the field as the scoreboard upped to 2-0. That intensity remained the same; however, the score would soon change.

Less than two minutes later, Robertiello would tally a goal of his own. Senior, Eric Baltimore (Shavertown, Pa./Dallas) assisted Robertiello on Susquehanna's third of the day.

After scoring three goals in less than a six minute span of play, Susquehanna let the scoreboard rest until Robertiello would rack in his second of the day at 32:05. Robertiello picked up a booted ball from keeper B.J. Merriam (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional), dribbled downfield into the box and finished the timely advancement with a shot into the right of the goal.

The half ended with a 4-0 Susquehanna advantage.

The second session of play was slightly comatose in comparison to the first. Catholic rallied to outshoot the Crusaders 9-8 in the second, yet Susquehanna did net a fifth and final goal with 15:54 of play remaining.

Dennis O'Hara (Salem, Va./Salem) switched fields of play with a cross downfield to Malek Giet (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township) where he received the ball and placed it precisely in the left inches of the goal.

Susquehanna ended their final regular season match with a 5-0 shutout. During the day, the Crusaders (9-6-2) out shot the Cardinals (6-10) 16-12, while Catholic held a 3-2 edge on corner kicks.

Merriam tallied a total of five saves throughout the game, during which Quinn Daly compiled six in the cage for the Catholic.

Susquehanna falls one short, York takes game 2-1 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. -- Despite the conditions, one would argue that the intensity of Tuesday night's game was well worth sitting, standing and playing through. The Spartans of York College, currently ranked third in the d3kicks.com national poll, prevailed with a 2-1 defeat over the Crusaders.

With every player, coach, referee and fan soaking wet, Sassafras Field became alive for 90 minutes of non-conference play, beginning as early as the initial kick.

York took control of the back-and-forth battle and opened scoring for the night at 24:31. The Spartan duo of Lucas Emil and Jason Mancuso worked in sync and were able to capitalize on an open corner of cage. Crusader goalie Matt Glackin (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) bit-on Emil's cross allowing Mancuso to find an opening in the right of the of the net.

Possession would continue to bounce between teams for another 10 minutes before the duo would strike a second time, again on the right side of play. This time reversed, Mancuso placed the ball precisely for Emil's foot to convert the game-deciding goal.

Entering the half, the scoreboard remained 2-0 in favor of the Kelly green and white squad.

Merely 3:17 into the second half, junior Isaac Laubach (Millville, PA/Millville) left his comfort zone in the backfield long enough to cut the Spartans lead to one. In the midst of a scramble in York's box, Laubach rebounded a blocked Susquehanna shot using the sole of his shoe to shoot backwards into the cage past the York keeper.

Laubach's crowd-pleaser was the last of the night. Twenty-two men on the field continued to fight for possession the remainder of competition; however as the final horn sounded, the score remained: York 2, Susquehanna 1.

Statistically York (17-1) dominated shots 21-10. Glackin closed out the game making 10 saves for the Crusaders (8-6-2), while York's Kyle Marks tallied four throughout the evening.

Susquehanna scoreless in second, Drew prevails 3-2 Box Score

MADISON, NJ -- Recently, Jim Robertiello (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendham) has become a name some would consider "veteran" to the scoring summary. Saturday afternoon Robertiello held strong to his name; however, two first half goals did not do the trick for the Crusaders.

Drew opened scoring five minutes into action when Andres Callejas scrambled for a loose rebound and in turn collected a Ranger goal. Within two minutes, Susquehanna would respond with a goal of their own, knotting the game at one-a-piece. Dan Husko (Brick, N.J./St. Rose) sent the ball into the box where Robertiello was able to head it overtop of Drew keeper, Jeff Rogers.

Robertiello struck again at the 22-minute mark by the means of Seth Baughman (Howard, Pa./Central Mountain). Baughman crossed a ball in need of a second touch and found the foot of Robertiello; Susquehanna led at the half 2-1.

Unfortunately for the Crusaders, the second half did not prove to be as lucrative as their first. Again at the five-minute mark, the difference being the half, Drew netted another. Bobby Sprengle assisted Jesse Puzio in firing a ball to the right of freshman keeper B.J. Merriam (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional).

In the sixty-second minute, Drew was able to put the Landmark Conference game away with an unassisted goal by Sharif Elzein. Drew's Dan Bonder headed a ball which bounced off the post and back into play. Despite Bonder's rejection, Elzein was able to rebound the ball and successfully head it past the Crusader keeper.

Statistically Drew (8-7, 4-2 LC) led the shot count 17-10, whereas Susquehanna (8-5-1, 3-2-1 LC) held a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Merriam saved five shots and allowed three goals, while Rogers saved four shots and allowed two goals.

Robertiello nets two first-half goals to give Susquehanna a 2-1 win over Juniata Box Score

SELINSGROVE, PA -- Jim Robertiello (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendham) scored twice in the opening ten minutes of play, which would be enough to defeat Landmark Conference opponent Juniata.

Robertiello's first goal came off of a lead pass from Seth Baughman (Howard, Pa./Central Mountain), and Robertiello beat Juniata goalkeeper Joe Kohler on a one-on-one play that led to a Susquehanna goal.

Just minutes later, Robertiello struck again by means of Baughman. Baughman crossed a centering pass to Robertiello, and Robertiello subsequently hammered the ball past Kohler for his second goal of the game.

Rhyan Nelson (Manalpan, N.J./St. John Vianney) nearly netted the third Crusader goal at the 17 minute mark after beating a sprawled out Kohler. Nelson slightly misfired, hitting the right post, and Matt Gawlas (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) was unable to convert on the rebound.

Juniata opened its offense in the just 1:40 into the second half. Bryan Hess drove the ball down the left sideline facing the Crusaders' net, and he fired off a shot from the left side off toward the sideline. The ball ricocheted off of the inside of the top portion of the right post and went into the goal.

With 16:25 left to play, Juniata nearly tied up the match when Andrew Steffen tried to capitalize on a sprawled out B.J. Merriam (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) outside of the net. Merriam, who was lying down in the fetal position, corralled the ball on the ground averting a potential game-tying goal.

Nelson uncorked a plethora of shots, totaling a game-high eight shots. Five of those shots were fielded by Kohler.

Merriam saved eight shots and allowed one goal while Kohler saved ten shots and allowed two goals.

The Crusaders held the shot advantage, outshooting the Eagles 23-13.

Robertiello's goal wins match in overtime Box Score

SELINSGROVE, PA -- A sunny yet windy afternoon at Sassafras Field was the perfect place to see a competitive soccer match on Saturday.

The Moravian men opened scoring 14:36 into the game with a Louis Dollarton goal off a pass from Ryan Hess. A back-and-forth battle for possession would cease scoring until Malek Giet (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Township) capitalized on a ball from freshman Rhyan Nelson (Manalpan, N.J./St. John Vianney) at 42:53 to end the scoring drought.

Shortly thereafter Susquehanna was awarded a penalty kick. Taken by Nelson, the kick was good after the ball found its way to the top left of the cage. The penalty kick was both preceded, and followed by greyhound yellow cards.

Half time came and went, as did ball possession in the second session of play. With 47 seconds remaining on the clock, the game all but over, Hess knotted the game for the greyhounds at one all. With little action on the field, the seconds ticked away and the buzzer sounded only to award another 10 minutes to the scoreboard.

The orange and maroon entered the third period of play starving for redemption; midway through the overtime period they found it. At 94:45, Matt Campbell (Leola, PA/Conestoga Valley) found the foot of Jim Robertiello (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendham) which in turn directed the ball to an opening in the top right corner of the cage. Sudden victory was in full effect as the game ended with a 3-2 Crusader advantage.

Susquehanna (7-4-2) held a slight 15-14 shot advantage and tallied 11 corners in comparison to Moravian's (4-10) three. Tending the net for the Crusaders, Matt Glackin (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) totaled four saves, while Greyhound Chris Nederostek had three.

Susquehanna drops Homecoming match against Merchant Marine Box Score

SELINSGROVE, PA -- Despite having two scoring opportunities in the waning minutes of a physical Landmark Conference match, Susquehanna dropped a 1-0 decision to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

David Poulnot netted the only goal of the contest 14:51 into play, scoring off of a Clint Foster shot that ricocheted off the crossbar. Foster was credited with the assist on the play.

With around six minutes left in the game, Isaac Laubach (Millville, Pa./Millville) knocked a header wide right at point-blank range.

Susquehanna had another opportunity to score just three minutes later when the Merchant Marine goalkeeper, Preston Stokes, denied shots from both Eric Baltimore (Shavertown, Pa./Dallas) and Jim Robertiello (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendham). Stokes dove on top of the ball near the goal line, and Susquehanna committed a foul which ended the possession for the Crusaders.

Both keepers faced 11 shots. B.J. Merriam (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) and Stokes each stopped five shots apiece.

Susquehanna falls to No. 10 F&M Box Score

SELINSGROVE, PA — Nationally ranked Franklin and Marshall edged the Crusaders 2-1 in non-conference soccer action Tuesday night.

Diplomat freshman Matthew Krantz found the feet of Brandon Corday 23:41 into the game to score the first of two goals for the blue and white. Susquehanna responded in a timely manner merely 1:13 later with a Rhyan Nelson (Manalpan, N.J./St. John Vianney) goal off a ball from sophomore Ian Hutchison (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts).

The battle would break at the half with the scoreboard knotted 1-1. With restless fans crowding the bleachers, the Diplomats netted their second and game-winning goal precisely 10 minutes into the second half of action. Ryan McGonigle was credited with the goal as Krantz tallied his second feed of the game.

Despite intense play from the orange and maroon in the remaining moments of play, the scoreboard remained to the advantage of visiting team.

On the night, the Diplomats outshot Susquehanna 17-4 and led corner kicks 3-1.

With freshman faces in both goals, Matt Glackin (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) totaled six saves for the Crusaders, while F&M goalkeeper Zack Zamek had no saves.

Crusaders, Gophers battle to Landmark deadlock in 2OT Box Score

TOWSON, MD. — Although Goucher and Susquehanna combined to take a total of 27 shots during regulation, neither team was able to score a goal. Ten more shots during overtime also failed to break the scoreless deadlock, producing the Crusaders' second tie of the year and the first tie in the history of the Landmark Conference.

Both teams had nearly the identical number of scoring chances during regulation. The Crusaders got off 14 shots, but all six on goal were stopped by goalkeeper Justin Holbrook. Likewise, the Gophers unleashed 13 shots, forcing freshman goalie B.J. Merriam (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) to make five saves.

During the two 10-minute overtime periods, Susquehanna managed to out-shoot the Gophers, 8-2.

It was the second 0-0 tie for the Crusaders this season, after producing the same result against King's two weeks ago.

First period scoring holds up as Crusaders beat LVC, 2-1 Box Score

ANNVILLE, PA — On a steamy afternoon, the Susquehanna and Lebanon Valley men's soccer teams got the scoring out of the way early and ran out of steam in the second period. The Flying Dutchmen jumped ahead early, but the Crusaders would answer twice and hold on for a 2-1 win.

Freshman forward Rhyan Nelson (Manalpan, N.J./St. John Vianney) answered Lebanon Valley's eighth-minute goal just seven minutes later, when he put an Eric Baltimore (Shavertown, Pa./Dallas) pass into the net to knot the score at 1-1.

Nelson would help the Crusaders take a 2-1 lead just three minutes later, getting the assist on Matt Gawlas' (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) goal. Susquehanna would get several good looks in the second half, but nothing found the back of the net.

The Crusaders dominated in shots (16-8) and corners (7-1). Freshman keeper Matt Glackin (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) made five saves to preserve the win.

Susquehanna gets first Landmark win, beats Scranton 3-1 Box Score

SCRANTON, PA — In the opening weekend of Landmark Conference play, Susquehanna defeated the University of Scranton, 3-1.

The Crusaders scored twice within the first 15 minutes of play to set the tempo. Senior midfielder Eric Baltimore (Shavertown, Pa./Dallas) struck first on a pass from freshman forward Rhyan Nelson (Manalpan, N.J./St. John Vianney). Baltimore then got an assist on Matt Gawlas' (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) goal later in the first half.

With less than six minutes remaining, the Crusaders put it out of reach on a goal by Jim Robertiello (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendham) on a picture-perfect cross from Baughman, who ran down a ball served over the top of the Royal defense.

Freshman goalie B.J. Merriam (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) made a match-high eight saves for Susquehanna.

Susquehanna blanks Misericordia, 1-0 Box score

SELINSGROVE , PA — Despite being outshot 17-12, Susquehanna prevailed in a 1-0 win over Misericordia University in non-conference action Tuesday night.

Freshman forward Rhyan Nelson (Manalpan, N.J. /St. John Vianney) found the back of the net early in the second half to boost the crusaders to a victory over the cougars at Sassafras Field.

Nelson converted a pass from junior Mark Richter (Morristown, N.J./Morristown) improving Susquehanna's record to 4-2-1 overall.

In goal for Susquehanna, freshman Matt Glackin (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) recorded his first career shut-out making 10 saves.

Andrew Loyd recorded six saves in the Cougar goal.

Saturday, September 15: Crusaders, Monarchs battle to 0-0 stalemate Box score

SELINSGROVE , PA — Stellar goalkeeping prevented the Susquehanna University men's soccer team (3-2-1) from capitalizing on numerous shot attempts against King's College, resulting in a 0-0 stalemate.

Freshman forward Rhyan Nelson (Manalpan, N.J. /St. John Vianney) accounted for nearly a quarter of the Crusader shots, uncorking seven total on the day.

Susquehanna held possession of the ball for the majority of the game but was unable to find the back of the net. The Crusaders outshot the Monarchs by a margin of 29-7.

B.J. Merriam (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) saved both shots that King's fired on goal, including a punch save off of a shot by Mark Timko in the second half.

John McNichol saved 13 shots on goal for the Monarchs.

Wednesday, September 12: Dickinson shuts out Crusaders, 1-0 Box Score

CARLISLE , PA - The Susquehanna University men's soccer team lost a 1-0 decision against 5-0 Dickinson College Wednesday night at Dickinson Park .

The lone goal of the game was a result of a miscommunication between a back and freshman goalkeeper Matthew Glackin (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) .

“The goal happened almost exactly like the one goal we gave up against Lycoming,” head coach Jim Findlay said.

Dickinson's Thomas Parkinson was credited with the goal, which he scored in the 70 th minute of play.

Glackin stymied the Dickinson offense the rest of the game, saving eight shots on goal.

The Crusaders had a chance to capitalize on a Mark Richter (Morristown, N.J./Morristown) corner kick, but Dickinson's Rodrigo Barboza stopped two Susquehanna shots shot by Richter and Isaac Laubach (Millville, Pa./Millville), respectively.

Barboza recorded the win for the Devils, saving all five shots that the Crusaders shot on goal.

Friday, September 7: Crusaders win, 2-1, to complete Lyco soccer sweep Box Score

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – Playing in his first Battle of the Boot, freshman midfielder Jim Robertiello (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendham) scored on a fast break in the 64th minute to seal the 2-1 win for the Susquehanna men's soccer team.

Junior Isaac Laubach (Millville, Pa./Millville) struck first for the Crusaders, scoring off a corner kick from Nicholas Barba (Sayreville, N.J./Westfield) with five minutes left in the first half. Robertiello followed up in the second half to put the Crusaders up 2-0.

Lycoming's Joe Karslo put one in in the 74th minute, but that was all the scoring the Warriors would muster. Susquehanna's freshman goalkeeper B.J. Merriam (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional) played all 90 minutes and recorded six saves.

With Thursday's women's win in the inaugural River Derby, the Crusaders completed the soccer sweep against regional rival Lycoming.

Tuesday, September 4: Baughman's two goals lift Susquehanna over SUNY-Oneonta Box score

SELINSGROVE, PA – After falling behind 1-0 early, the Susquehanna men's soccer team pulled off a 2-1 overtime win against SUNY-Oneonta Tuesday.

The Red Dragons' scoring team of Keith Manscuk and Billy Ohrin connected early for the game's first goal, which stood up well into the second period.

Senior midfielder Seth Baughman (Howard, Pa./Central Mountain) tied the game with less than a minute remaining, then took a pass from junior transfer Jordan Aungst (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove) four minutes into overtime for the game-winner.

Saturday, September 1: Crusaders fall on late penalty kick, 1-0, at W&J Box Score

WASHINGTON , PA – After winning its opening match of the season Friday night on a late penalty kick, the Susquehanna University men's soccer team lost on a late penalty kick Saturday afternoon, 1-0, at Washington & Jefferson College.

W&J's Ryan McDonald connected on the PK for the lone goal with just 7:09 remaining in the match.

Despite outshooting W&J 11-8 – including a 5-1 advantage in the first half – and having a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks, the Crusaders couldn't get the ball past Presidents' goalkeeper Tyler Hodkins. Four players had two shots apiece for Susquehanna, which managed to get six of its 11 shots on goal in the defensive struggle.

Junior Pat Donegan (Lewisburg , Pa./Lewisburg) was credited with making two saves in goal for the Crusaders, who fell to 1-1 this season. The contest was the opener for Washington & Jefferson.

Friday, August 31: Susquehanna 1, Pitt-Bradford 0 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, PA - Junior Matt Gawlas netted the lone goal of the contest on a penalty kick with 6:43 left as Susquehanna topped visiting Pitt-Bradford, 1-0, in the season opener for both teams at Sassafras Field tonight.

Gawlas fired a shot to the right back corner of the net after he was pulled down in the box for the penalty kick.

Junior goalkeeper Pat Donegan had to make just two saves for the shutout, but the last one was a big one as he stopped the Panthers' Jim Roberts on a point-blank shot inside the box with just over a minute left.

That preserved a well earned victory for the Crusaders, who dominated play throughout the contest. Susquehanna outshot Pitt-Bradford 23-2, with a 16-0 edge in corner kicks.

“I think definitely we deserved to get the victory there in the end,” said Susquehanna head coach Jim Findlay, who began his 10th season at the Crusader helm. “It wasn't pretty at times, but we stuck to our game plan and just persevered in the end and held on to get that PK call. And Matt buried it.”

Susquehanna travels to the western part of the state tomorrow with a 2 p.m. match at Washington & Jefferson.