Box Score Box Score

POTSDAM, N.Y.—Elmira College (3-0) rallied twice to defeat the SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team 5-2, in the championship game of the SUNY Potsdam Men's Soccer College Cup. Soaring Eagle junior midfielder John Bejakian (Winchester, Mass./Tilton Academy) tallied a goal and an assist and Bears freshman forward Eduardo Figueroa (Rochester, N.Y./Dr. Freddie Thomas) scored both of Potsdam goals. Elmira senior midfielder Edward Michelson (Winstead, Conn./Cheshire Academy) was named Tournament MVP.

After a slow start the first half turned into an offensive show. In the 23rd minute, Elmira senior goalkeeper Jared Micheller (Avon, Conn./Winchendon School) misfired on a kick and Figueroa was there to head the ball into the empty net. Almost five minutes later the Soaring Eagles tied the game when sophomore midfielder Josh Rumble (Yorktown, Va./York) tipped a pass from freshman forward Anthony Germano (Campinas, Brazil/Winchendon School) past Bears junior goalie Joe Glackin (Latham, N.Y./Shaker) to even the score. Figueroa struck again at the 32:21 mark on a long pass from sophomore forward Alessio Vitale (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool). Again, the Soaring Eagles responded quickly. Just over two minutes later sophomore forward Jared Correia (West Simsbury, Conn./Masters School) finished a pass from junior midfielder Ernesto Valverde (East Hampton, N.Y./East Hampton) to knot the score at 2-2.

Elmira took the lead just 1:06 into the second half as Michelson beat Glackin with a long shot from the right side. Sophomore midfielder Ryan Limero (Belchertown, Mass./Dublin School) assisted on the play. The Soaring Eagles controlled the play for much of the second half and added an insurance marker when Bejakian set up sophomore midfielder Matthew Feldman (Guilford, Conn./Guilford) at 78:23. Bejakian then cinched the outcome with the contest's final goal in the 85th minute.

Elmira outshot Potsdam 17-14 and the Bears held a 5-2 advantage in corners. Glackin finished with three saves for Potsdam, while Micheller stopped four shots for the victory.

The Bears (2-1-1) are back in action Wednesday, Sept. 14, when they host SUNY Canton at 7 p.m.

Tournament MVP--#8 Edward Michelson M (Elmira College)

All-Tournament Team
D'Youville
#2 John Schomaker D
#5 Jordan Wabick M

Lyndon State
#11 Luke Haskell
#17 Andrew Schibly

Elmira College
#14 Jason Guernsey F
#19 Alexander Poole M
#22 Matthew Feldman M

SUNY Potsdam
#8 A.J. Ramirez M
#9 Alessio Vitale M
#10 Eduardo Figueroa F