By Steven M. Glassman

Director of Sports Information

November 16, 2024

CORAOPOLIS, PA—Third-seeded Five Towns College (11-5-3) scored three second-half goals and the Sound defense held sixth-seeded Manor College (9-10-1) to seven overall shots as they shut out the Blue Jays, 4-0, in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division I Small College National Championship Tournament Pool B match at the Allegheny Health Network Montour Sports Complex.

Sophomore midfielder Sebastian Cuenca's breakaway pass from past midfield went to sophomore midfielder Erick Giron around the 18-yard line. Giron's shot went into the right side of the net for his fifth goal of the season (32:33).  Cuenca contributed his seventh assist of the season on Giron's goal.  The Sound led, 1-0, at halftime.  Five Towns outshot Manor in the first half, 16 (nine on goal) to two (none on goal).

Cuenca's pass from past the midfield circle went to sophomore midfielder Hector Ruiz around the 18.  Ruiz' shot went into the middle of the net for his 13th goal of the season (50:11).  Cuenca contributed his second assist of the match and eighth of the season.   Sophomore midfielder Christian Torres' went from outside the 18 to around the six to freshman midfielder/defenseman Christian Alvarez.  Alvarez' shot went into the left side of the net for his sixth goal of the season (66:38).  Torres contributed his second of the season on Alvaez' goal.  Junior defenseman/forward Allela Bouzgarrou's shot around the 18 went into the left side of the net for his first goal of the season (87:38).  The Five Towns outshot Manor in the second half, 14 (eight on goal) to five (two on goal).  The Sound outshot the Blue Jays for the match, 30 (17 on goal) to seven (two on goal).

This is the sixth time overall (twice at neutral sites) that Manor has been shut out this season.  The Blue Jays finished the season without a goal in their last 302:50.  They were also shut out six times during the 2023 season.  This is the first time Manor was shut out in three straight matches since joining the USCAA for the 2021 season.  The last time they were shut out in three straight matches was four straight between September 9 and September 19, 2017 when they were National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XIX Division I members.

Manor finished the season losing three straight and four of its last six.  They previously lost three straight in a season between September 9 and September 13, 2023.

The Blue Jays played 20 matches in a season for the first time since joining the USCAA.  Their previous best was 16 in 2022 and 2023.  Manor played as many as 18 matches in 2012, 2013, and 2018 when they were in the NJCAA from 2008 to 2019.  Between 2002 and 2007, the Blue Jays also played as many as 18 matches in 2006 when they were Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (EPCC) members.

Manor versus the Association (Since 2021): Manor is 8-6-1 overall (0-2-0 at neutral sites) this season versus the USCAA.  They are 25-19-2 overall (0-4-0 at neutral sites) since the 2021 season.

Manor at Neutral Sites (Since 2021): The Blue Jays are 0-2-0 at neutral sites this season. They are 0-4-0 at neutral sites since 2021.   

Series Record (Since 2021): This is the first match-up between the two schools.

Manor Trailing at Halftime (Since 2021): Manor is 0-5-0 overall (0-2-0 at neutral sites) this season they are trailing at halftime. 

The Blue Jays in the Postseason (Since 2005):  The Blue Jays are 1-6-0 overall (0-4-0 at neutral sites) in the postseason since making their USCAA debut in 2021.  They were 1-4-0 overall (0-2-0 on the road) in the NJCAA Region XIX Division III (2011-2013) and Division I (2018) Postseason Tournaments.  The Blue Jays were 5-1-0 overall (1-0-0 on the road) in the EPCC Postseason between 2005 and 2007.

Final Match for Two Blue Jays: Today was the final match for two Blue Jay student-athletes: midfielder Abubakarr Bangura (Philadelphia, PA/John Bartram) and defenseman and co-captain Maximo Chavez (King of Prussia, PA/Upper Merion).  Bangura played in 34 career matches (31 starts).  He scored five goals and contributed 12 assists for 22 points.  Bangura was voted to the 2023 All-ESAC Men's Soccer First Team.  Academically, he made Manor's Dean's List three times and was twice named to the ESAC Fall Semester All-Academic Team (2022 and 2023).  Chavez played in 57 career matches (53 starts), including 39 straight.  He scored 10 goals and contributed seven assists for 27 points.  He was voted to the 2023 All-ESAC Men's Soccer Second Team.  Chavez received the 2023 Manor College Men's Soccer Coaches Award and twice received the Manor College Brian Barry Award for Men's Soccer (2021 and 2022).

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