New York men's soccer team puts forth valiant effort, but drops 2-1 decision to Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ

New York men's soccer team puts forth valiant effort, but drops 2-1 decision to Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ

The Berkeley College New York men's soccer team suffered a tough defeat on Monday afternoon, falling to the Cyclones of Centenary University by a score of 2-1 in a match that was played at J.E. Reeves Jr. Field in Hackettstown, NJ.

With the defeat, the Knights slipped to 1-3, making the fourth consecutive season in which Berkeley has started with the aforementioned mark through four contests. On the flip side, Centenary recorded its first victory of the 2019 campaign, improving to 1-4 on the year.

Both teams entered the contest struggling to score goals, with Berkeley getting shutout the previous two matches, and the Cyclones netting just three goals during the first four matches of their season.

In this contest, neither team was able to break through for a goal in the opening 45 minutes, and the teams were scoreless as the match reached halftime. Centenary had the first chance to score in the opening stanza when Tom Parry was awarded a penalty kick. He took his shot, but Knights goaltender Dario Cruz-Sepulveda, as he so often does, stopped it.

The second session began with Centenary goalkeeper Paul LiTrenta coming up with a pair of huge saves to keep Berkeley College off the scoreboard momentarily. The Knights, however, broke through for a goal when Amadou Sy scored in the 51st minute, converting after receiving a beautiful pass from Marcos Leon.

Centenary netted the tying goal just over four minutes later, as Juan Restrepo scored from inside the box (assisted by Matt Miller). It was Restrepo's first career tally.

Later, at the 76:08 mark, the Cyclones scored what would be the match-winning goal, as Restrepo struck again, collecting a rebound and blasting the ball home to give Centenary a 2-1 edge that it wouldn't relinquish.

LiTrenta came up with a huge save for Centenary in the final 20 seconds, as Berkeley was awarded a free kick following a foul on the Cyclones. LiTrenta, though, stopped the shot and cradled he ball to clinch Centenary University's first triumph of 2019.

LiTrenta finished the game with six saves to earn his first win of the year in goal. Cruz-Sepulveda recorded eight saves in the loss.

Centenary held a 20-17 edge in shots in the contest and took eight of the game's 12 corner kicks.

Berkeley College will look to snap its three-match losing streak on Wednesday evening, as the Knights will travel to the Bronx to battle SUNY-Maritime at Reinhart Field. Start-time is scheduled for 7:00pm.