The top-seeded York College Cardinals advanced to the 2009 CUNY Athletic Conference men’s soccer championship match by defeating #4 Medgar Evers 2-0 today at the College of Staten Island Soccer Complex. The championship game will be next Saturday, November 6, with York facing Hunter College.
York’s Elysee Vilsaint scored both goals in the game, but it was the Cardinal defense that was the story. Medgar Evers controlled the tempo early, but could not score during the first half. In the 23rd minute, Medgar Evers chipped a long lob into the box on the left side, where Alonge Collins settled the ball and got off a good shot that went just left of the target. Medgar Evers again had multiple opportunities, but York’s defense and keeper Samer Abdel-Fattah held the Cougars off the scoreboard.
York countered late in the half and netted the first goal of the game, in the 43rd minute. York’s Francisco Florez led Vilsaint down the left side. Vilsaint settled the ball before outrunning two Medgar Evers defenders towards the goal. At the top of the box, Vilsaint put a shot off his right foot, that tipped off of MEC goalie John Ajirotutu and into the back of the net.
“Elysee is an offensive machine, said York head coach Linval Cunningham. “Even if we don’t dominate possession we can win because we have guys like Elysee who can score at any time.”
As the second half started, play was mixed with both teams having chances. York would convert in the 53rd minute, when Ousmane Toure sent the ball down the left side of the field to Vilsaint, who outran defenders to take possession. From there, Vilsaint sent the ball to the far post, where the ball snuck into the goal for the 2-0 lead.
MEC continued to press, but the York defense kept the ball to the outside, thwarting the Cougar offense.
York has now advanced to the championship game for the third time in as many seasons, and will face Hunter College. A year ago, Hunter defeated York in penalty kicks.
BOX SCORE