The Berkeley College New York men's soccer team dropped a Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Panthers of Albany College of Pharmacy by a score of 5-1 in a contest played at Westchester Community College in Valhalla, NY. With the loss, Berkeley slipped to 7-4-1 on the year (5-1-1 HVIAC), while the Panthers improved their mark to 8-4-1 (4-1-1 league play)
Following the contest, the Berkeley College Department of Athletics took a few moments to honor six seniors – Victor Marotta, Enis Zahmoul, Daniel Ramos, Samuel Nortey, Franklyn Maronta, Osvin Videz Vasquez, – in a special ceremony. Each student-athlete was presented with a commemorative plaque by Director of Athletics Andy DeStephano, Head Coach Stavros Zomopoulos, and Assistant Coaches George Martinez and Evan Woodhouse. Zomopoulos spoke following the presentations.
"All six of the student-athletes that we're honored following the match have had their own unique impact on our program, and I'm very proud of all of them," he said. "They've all worked extremely hard both in the classroom and on the pitch, and I'm extremely happy for them. I know they're looking forward to finishing out this season strong, and I anticipate that they'll give everything they have down the stretch – just like they always have."
The battle between the Knights and Panthers served as a rematch of the classic contest the two teams played a season ago in Albany, NY, when Berkeley put forth a valiant effort to earn a tie – a tie that went a long way in helping the team clinch a conference playoff berth. This match – unfortunately for the Knights – was not that close – as Albany used four goals in the opening session to put the game essentially away.
With the match tied at a goal apiece, Albany College of Pharmacy notched three goals in an eight minute span, one from Arlo Wetherbee (at 36:00 from Austin Myers), another from Myers (unassisted at 39:00), and a tally by Noah Keith (at 43:00 from Jack Hanlon). The Panthers tacked on a fifth goal courtesy of Mina Girgis (from Myers at 55:00) in the second half.
Berkeley College's lone goal came courtesy of Matthew Perreira, as he found the back of the net at 26:00 of the opening session. Marcos Leon picked up an assist on the goal.
The Knights will return to action on Wednesday afternoon, as Berkeley College will head to Glen Cove, NY to battle Webb Institute in another Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest. Start-time is scheduled for 4:00pm.
