Southern Vermont edges NYU-Poly in opener of Raptors Classic

Annandale-on-Hudson, NY -  Despite outplaying and outshooting Southern Vermont, the Fighting Blue Jays (1-3) couldn't cash in on numerous scoring chances and fell 2-0 to the Mountaineers in the first game of the Raptors Classic at Bard College. Friday nights contest was the first-ever meeting between the two schools and for NYU-Poly, its best overall performance of the season, outshooting SV 17-10 and controlling much of the match.

In a game of momentum shifts, Southern Vermont (2-2) came out strong, having the first scoring chance with a one-on-one breakaway with NYU-Poly keeper Uriel Moreira (West Palm Beach, FL / Forrest Hills HS). But the netminder came up with his only save of the match, deflecting the shot out of bounds.  That would wake up the NYU-Poly defense...and offense. Freshmen Nick Michalczewski (Miami, FL / Chaminade Madenna HS) nearly put NYU-Poly ahead in the 26th minute as his one-time volley hit the crossbar and fell to the feet of another freshmen Allen Rohr (Northridge, CA / Granada Hills Charter). But Rohr's shot went right to SV keeper Elias Skiff.

Unfortunately, just two minutes later, Sean Moore's unassisted goal off a missed clear gave the Mountaineers the lead. NYU-Poly took nine shots in the first half, with Nick Belesis (Marblehead, MA / Marblehead HS) leading the way with three. The Mountaineers managed to take seven, but only two were on goal.

In the second half, the Jays held the momentum and pressured a tired Mountaineer defense for nearly 30 minutes, but failed to find the back of the net. Rohr had another golden opportunity as he was the recepient of a beautiful give and go through the box, but his left footed shot at the near post was turned away. Adam Lakawicz (Butler NJ, Butler HS) and Michalczewski each had quality looks, but both shots were saved by Skiff. In the 78th minute, the Mountaineers struck again as Adrian Alexis sneaked in a shot past Moreira's near post. The Jays remained determined and nearly scored in the 89th minute when senior Diego Schwartz's (Rego PArk, NY / Forest Hill HS) shot, off a corner, appeared headed for a goal, but Skiff made a diving save, and in doing so ended the game.

NYU-Poly led in corners 5-4 and shots on goal 7-3. Skiff made six saves. The Jays will play Green Mountain tomorrow at 1:00pm.

Man of the Match:  Juan Tamayo (Miami, FL)