BOCA RATON, Fla. (October 21, 2006) ' In a
match that decided the Sunshine State Conference regular season
title, the 21st ranked Rollins men's soccer team battled #9 Lynn
into double overtime, but a goal in the 107th minute by Lynn
midfielder Jean Alexandre gave the Fighting Knights the victory and
the conference championship.' The Tars finished the regular season
with an overall record of 11-5 and an SSC mark of 5-3, and Lynn
posted records of 14-1 and 7-1 respectively.
The Fighting Knights jumped out to a quick lead in the fifth
minute thanks to a goal by William Young.' Kenneth Viquez sent a
cross into the penalty area from the left side, and Young, with his
back to the goal, misdirected the ball with his heel and put it
past Tars goalkeeper Frazer Siddall.' Rollins scored the final goal
in regulation at the 20:21 mark.' A failed clearance by a Lynn
defender was collected by Eric Vergati in the midfield, and Vergati
sailed a shot over Fighting Knights goalkeeper Tim Melia from 35
yards out to tie the game at one.
Alexandre's goal came on his fourth shot of the game, most of
which were from a significant distance.' Midfielder Lee Porter
started the play by dribbling into the right corner where Vergati
and Anthony Santiago were waiting to defend him.' Porter somehow
dribbled through the double-team and to the end line, where he was
able to find Alexandre waiting for the shot from straight away at
the top of the penalty area.
The Tars played tough all game, never backing down from the team
that earlier this year was ranked first in the nation.' Rollins
matched Lynn in shots in the first half with six, but the Fighting
Knights exploded in the second half with eight shots compared to
just two by the Tars.' Siddall made several outstanding saves, with
some coming from a very short distance.' He finished the game with
six saves, and his Lynn counterpart Melia saved four.
Rollins had several near-misses throughout the game.' Juan
Kusnir had a shot from 15 yards out go just wide left in the first
half, and Tres Loch knocked a left-footed volley off the near post
in the second half.' The Fighting Knights also had many chances to
break the tie in regulation, with one shot going just wide of the
net within the last 10 seconds of the first half.
Pairings, match locations, and times for the Sunshine State
Conference Tournament will be announced the evening of Sunday,
October 22 after all SSC matches are completed. Information can be
found on the SSC Web site at www.sunshinestateconference.com
and on www.RollinsSports.com.
