Men’s Soccer Ends the Regular Season with a Win
Beaver Falls, PA – The Geneva men's soccer team finished up its regular season at home on Saturday night when it defeated the visitors from Alfred State, 4-0. Not only did Geneva send out its seven seniors in style, the win also gave Head Coach Gary Dunda his 100th victory since taking over the men's soccer program. With the nonconference victory Geneva finished its regular season schedule 13-3-2 and now looks ahead to postseason action.
The evening started with Geneva recognizing one of the strongest senior classes in recent history. Before the game started seniors Josh Brenize, Abel Carleton, Clayton Cox, Spencer Edwards, Gib McCracken, Nate Musselman and Ben Shoemaker were recognized for their contributions to the program. The group was part of an impressive 52-18-10 record over the last four seasons, with the upcoming Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) playoff yet to come. The seniors have already been a part of one PAC championship with hopes for another this season.
The Golden Tornadoes didn't take long to take the lead when a McCracken header was cleared off the line only to land at the feet of Carleton right in front of the goal, and Carleton quickly put Geneva up 1-0 in the 6th minute of play.
Geneva doubled their lead in the 17th minute when a Geneva cross in the box deflected off an Alfred State defender and went in for an own goal. While Alfred State was still recovering, just 22 seconds later Liam O'Halloran took a pass from Kevin Pasho at the top of the box and beat the goalie near post to go up 3-0.
Noah O'Barsky finished the scoring in the 44th minute when he got in behind the defense on a long ball from James Mincone and touched the ball around the goalie before cutting the ball back from a sharp angle into the empty net.
Overall Geneva outshot Alfred State 20-7. Goalkeeper Luke Nolan had a quiet evening, gaining the shutout by stopping the only shot he faced.
The evening was significant for Coach Dunda as well. Coach Dunda was hired in April 2010 and his tenure has been characterized by excellence. His first win was also a 4-0 win, that time a victory over Franciscan University, and it took him only seven years to hit the 100 win mark.
Up next for the PAC #2 seeded Golden Tornadoes is a home PAC playoff game against #3 seeded Grove City on Wednesday, November 1, at 7:00 p.m. If Geneva defeats the visiting Wolverines, they'll play the winner of #1 seeded Thomas More and #4 seeded Washington & Jefferson, who play in the other semifinal game. The championship game is scheduled for Saturday, November 4. If Thomas More wins, the PAC championship game will occur in Kentucky. If Washington & Jefferson upsets Thomas More, Geneva would have the opportunity for one final home game and a second straight PAC championship.
