Men's Soccer | 10/29/2021 6:12:00 PM
BRYN ATHYN, Pa. - For the first time in program history, the men's soccer team will be making an appearance in postseason play. The Lions won their final game of the season 2-0 over Valley Forge to secure the fifth and final playoff spot.
Season Synopsis
The Lions came into the season with the mantra "Make History". From the very first practice the program has been focused on building and blazing a trail. The Lions went 1-15 in the last season of competition in 2019. The team had many familiar faces from the last time they took the pitch, 14 to be exact. Those 14 returners were critical in helping the newcomers understand the opportunity they had in front of them. In the preseason, the Lions were picked to finish 7th out of 8 teams in the Coaches' Poll. The group would not be deterred. They entered the season hungry and with something to prove.
The Lions saw a six game win improvement and their record jumped to 7-8 (3-4) compared to 1-15 in 2019. The manged to achieve the first above .500 record at home in program history. The also placed three members of the team on the All-CSAC teams (
Owen Ovecka | 2nd Team,
Vincent Buccafuri | Honorable Mention,
Justin Lykunov | Honorable Mention). Freshman,
Enrico Romano, finished 6th in the conference in goals scored. The team finished hot and on a three game win streak, which is the longest in program history.
Needing a win or tie in the final game of the season, the men stepped up and got it done against Valley Forge to secure the fifth seed in the CSAC Championship Playoff.
The Matchup
#4 Saint Elizabeth versus #5 Bryn Athyn | Kick off: 1:00 PM, October 31, 2021 | Morristown, New Jersey
Regular Season Matchup: Saint Elizabeth 2, Bryn Athyn 1
Recap: The match was a physical, but even contest. SEU bookened their goals striking first and getting the game winner three minutes after the Lions equalized the game.
Key Players:
Saint Elizabeth: Miguel Aristizbal, Forward, All-CSAC 2nd Team (9 G, 3 A); Steven Maia, Defense, All-CSAC 2nd Team (1 G, 1 A); Justin Flores, Defense, All-CSAC Honorable Mention;
Jacob Flores, Forward, All-CSAC Honorable Mention (6 G, 3 A); Alejandro Lopez, Midfield, All-CSAC Honorable Mention (2 G, 1 A); Ethan Mosquera, Midfield, All-CSAC Honorable Mention (4 G)
Bryn Athyn:
Owen Ovecka, Midfield, All-CSAC 2nd Team (5 G, 1 A);
Vincent Buccafuri, Defense, All-CSAC Honorable Mention;
Justin Lykunov, Forward, All-CSAC Honorable Mention (2 G);
Enrico Romano, Forward (7 G, 2 A);
Justin Delgado, Midfield (5 G, 1 A); Mike Haas, Goalie (45 saves, 1.99 GA)
