Men
These past two weeks have been tough, but victorious for the men?s soccer team, as they battled and won against four different teams, including Grove City College 3?2, St. Vincent College 4?3, Westminster College 3?1, and New York University 1?0.
On October 20, the Tartans traveled to Grove City, Pa., to compete against the Grove City Wolverines. In the fourth minute, Dan Mastalski scored with an assist by Jonathan Browne. Just past the 14th minute, the Tartans scored again with a goal by Sean Filipovitz. During a penalty kick in the 22nd minute, Wolverine Adam Ludwig scored against Tartan goalkeeper Dave Thomas, which sealed up the first half 2?1 for the Tartans. In the 73rd minute, Browne scored his first, last and game-winning goal of the night, with an assist by James Steidel. With eight minutes left in the game, Wolverine Stuart McCommas found the back of the net behind Thomas, finishing the game 3?2 for the Tartans.
The Tartans hosted the St. Vincent College (Pa.) Bearcats on October 23 at Gesling Stadium. In the 26th minute, Bearcat forward Dave Suski found the back of the net giving St. Vincent the initial lead. In the 30th and 46th minutes, the Tartans fought back with goals scored by Chris Watts and Mastalski, respectively. Finishing up the half, Suski scored consecutively in the 57th and 62nd minutes, with Mike Steffa scoring a point for the Tartans before the elapse of the half. Two sudden-death overtime periods occurred, and in the 102nd minute, last year?s UAA Rookie of the Year, Browne, scored the game-winning goal which sealed this hard-fought victory for the Tartans.
For the second time this season, Browne was named the University Athletic Association Men?s Soccer Athlete of the Week. This award recognized Browne for his performance against the Wolverines and Bearcats where he scored both game winning goals as well as aiding the team in three assists.
On Tuesday, the Tartans hosted the Westminster College (Pa.) Titans at Gesling Stadium. The game proved more challenging than anyone would have thought, as spectators saw players such as Steidel, Mastalski, and Steve Berei sit on the bench throughout the game?s duration. Primarily sophomore and first-year players competed in the game, making it much more interesting for spectators. Within the first ten minutes, Browne scored his first goal of the night with an assist by Filipovitz. In the 37th minute, Titan forward Mark Sadler kicked the ball past Thomas, with an assist by Zach Saxman. In the 54th minute William Schlough found the back of the net, with another assist by Sean Filipovitz. In the 58th minute, Browne scored his second goal of the night, personally setting the Carnegie Mellon record for most goals scored in a single season.
The Tartans traveled to upper Manhattan on Friday to compete against the New York University Violets in a UAA match-up. Both teams played extremely physical because of the implications of this game affect both teams? futures in the UAA conference. However, with all the intensity, neither team scored within the two 45- minute halves.Two minutes and 30 seconds into the first overtime Browne scored the game-winning goal for the Tartans, for the third time in four games. The Tartans outshot the Violets 15?10 and left New York with a 10?1?3 record and current UAA record 2?0?3.
Six players from the men?s soccer team were named to the University Athletic Association?s All-Academic Recognition list. The players are seniors Dave Thomas, Alex Beck, Mike Steffa, and Brett Holmes, and sophomores Jonathan Browne and Rob Vargo.
On Sunday afternoon, the Tartans competed against the Brandeis University Judges shutting them out 2?0 in a pivotal UAA match. This is the fifth game of the season that the Tartans shut out another team.
With regard to the team's season this year, Steidel said, ?Overall, out team is doing well. We dominate games in shots on goals and corners and scoring opportunities, we have just been unlucky.?
?Our toughest game will definitely be against Emory,? said Steidel. ?Last year, we beat them on their own turf with a man down ... they are going to be out for blood.?
On Sunday the Tartans will play their final regularly scheduled season game at Gesling Stadium against one of their toughest rivals, the Emory University Eagles.