Tigermedia - CUNY Athletic Conference: Men's Community College Soccer Finals: Queensborough vs. BMCC (2015) (Highlights)

CUNY Athletic Conference: Men's Community College Soccer Finals: Queensborough vs. BMCC (2015) (Highlights)

Date: October 19th, 2015
Duration: 2m:16s

Summary provided by CUNY Athletics.
CUNY Athletic Conference: Men's Community College Soccer Finals: Queensborough vs. BMCC (2015) (Highlights)

The 2015 CUNYAC/MCU Community College Men's Soccer Championship took place at the Metropolitian Oval between BMCC and Queensborough Monday night. The rematch of last year's title would, once again, go to Queensborough 3-2 after a big penalty kick late in the game broke the tie.

When asked about his team's performance, Dimtrios Pappas of Queensborough stated that, "We had some bad moments, but its all about attitude and we showed that in the game, thats it. It's what our coach taught us, thats it."

The first half of the Community College Men's Soccer Championship was a fast-paced affair with momentum swings for both teams. BMCC began the game by aggressively attacking and getting numerous corners and free kicks. However, Queensborough picked it up after the first ten minutes of play with Alec Stachnik taking two shots at goal with one going high over the net. BMCC responded with a quick shot minutes after by Serigne Kasse, which was blocked outside the box by Queensborough defenders.

With the back and forth action going on, Alec Stachnik of Queensborough took a shot at goal that was saved by Alexis Orrego of BMCC, but was hurt after the shot at the 12th minute. Stachnik was subbed out of the game for Stewart Bailon, but returned after seven minutes on the sidelines. BMCC was back on the attack led by Kasse who was fouled in the box and earned a penalty. Stewart Bailon on BMCC took the penalty kick, but missed far left that kept the game scoreless. Queensborough continued to be aggressive and took over the momentum in the first half. At the 29th minute, Queensborough had a free kick sent into the box by Marcello Russo, which led to the first goal of the game headed in by Dimitrios Pappas. However, BMCC wasn't looking to go down without a fight and had a shot on goal off of a free kick by Kasse, which was saved by Queensborough. Queensborough didn't take their first corner until close to the end of half. BMCC picked up the defense at the end of the half to help them remain within one goal of Queensborough.

In the second half, BMCC came out with a sense of urgency controlling the tempo and ball possession. However, Queensborough had a quick attack, which led to a shot on goal that was blocked. Soon after, Kevin Zhagui scored in the 52nd minute to give Queensborough a 2-0 lead. Queensborough took over control of the pace of the game in the second half and earned another penalty after attacking aggressively. Anthony Blanco took the penalty kick, but missed off the top right crossbar.

The tough played continued for both sides as the second half went on, but Queensborough was holding on to their 2-0 lead. BMCC wasn't ready to give up though as Kasse took a shot at goal off of a free kick in the 63rd minute followed by a goal minutes after by Peter Ceesay, which put BMCC on the scoreboard. BMCC continued to score when Ulrich Mokolo scored BMCC's second goal right on the heels of their first one. Mokolo was assisted by Jonathan Lopez to tie the championship game at 2-2 in the 69th minute. The momentum quickly swayed in BMCC's favor following the two unanswered goals. The attack continued as Ceesay took a shot on goal that bounced off the right crossbar, but back into play.

BMCC controlled the tempo hacing possession of the ball for most of the second half. Queensborough tried to slow down BMCC, but Jason Mendoza received a yellow card in the 73rd minute, which led to a shot over the goal by Ceesay. Queensborough picked up their pace late in the second half around the 76th minute, which had the fans on their feet. Mokolo had a goal taken away after a foul was committed by BMCC simultaneously. The game was still deadlocked at 2-2 at the 81st minute of play with both teams in search of what could be the decisive goal.

In the 86th minute, Queensborough earned a penalty kick. Steven Fonseca scored on the attempt, which putting Queensborough ahead. As the game came to a close, BMCC tried to score another game-tying goal, but to no avail. The Tigers won the championship 3-2 after an outstanding performance.

"There was a point where we could put the game away with a penalty kick and we didn't and we gave them the spirit to come back in and make a game of it. Unfortunately someone has to win the game and things happen, it was in our favor and we came away with it," said Coach Zef Kabashi of Queensborough.

Dimitrios Pappas of Queensborough earned The Most Valuable Player Award after giving the Tigers their first goal of the game.

Website: http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/Sports/