NEW ROCHELLE, NY — In front of a large and pumped up crowd, the College of New Rochelle Mens Soccer team gave the fans what they came for – an opening night victory as they cruised past Southern Vermont College 3-1 in a non-conference contest Wednesday night.
The game marked the first-ever home game for CNR and the first home win. CNR now stands at 2-0 on the season while the Mountaineers fall to 1-2.
The Blue Angels and Southern Vermont started the contest off evenly as both teams back lines were tested. CNR would give up two corner kicks in the opening 10 minutes but didn’t yield any dangerous shots. Five minutes later, freshmen Jovanni Garcia (Garden Grove, CA) beat his defender down the right side, cut along the end line and was taken down from behind – and awarded a penalty kick.
The forward converted the PK in the 15th minute to push the Blue Angels ahead 1-0. The game would remain tied at the half, thanks in part to both teams keepers. CNR’s Cristian Del Castillo (Harrison, NY) came up huge in the 37th minute on a foot save off a rebound shot by a Mountaineer. Moments later a Southern Vermont defender turned away a shot that was headed for the open goal.
In the 2nd half, CNR wore down the Mountaineers and broke through on a corner kick in the 61st minute. Freshmen Oscar Guido (Kendall. FL) served up a corner to the back side which found the chest of sophomore Nicorey Warren (Brooklyn, NY). Warren’s chest volley found the back of the net to put CNR up 2-0.
Five minutes later it was the California Connection that sealed the win. Freshmen Cesar Rodriguez (Santa Ana, CA) broke up a pass and countered down the right flank. He sent a perfect curling cross to Garcia who connected for his 2nd goal of the night.
The Mountaineers ended a 179 minute season opening shutout streak by CNR, with a goal in the 89th minute off a failed Blue Angel clearance.
The Blue Angels finished the night with a 16-8 lead in shots and 11-4 on goal. Del Castillo made three saves on the night, while Mountaineer keeper Chris Jimenez made eight stops. SVC edged CNR in corner kicks 6-5.
CNR will head to Albany Pharmacy College on Saturday for its Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener. Game time is set for 12:00pm.
