NEWPORT NEWS, VA - The York College men's
soccer team rolled to a 4-1 victory over Christopher Newport
Saturday night in the final match of the VCAM/CNU Classic. The
Spartans pick up their second win of the year en route to capturing
the tournament crown.
Junior Mike O'Connell (Bowie, Md./Archbishop
Spalding) put the Spartans on the board early with his
first goal of the season at the 8:33 mark of the first half. On
O'Connell's score, Chris Ports (Baltimore, Md./John Carroll
School) recorded the first assist of his senior campaign.
In the 24th minute, newcomer Kemal Nuspahic (East
Petersburg, Pa./Warwick), who entered the match just four
minutes earlier, knocked in his second goal in as many games to
give the Spartans a 2-0 advantage. Brett Sauerberger
(Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) swung in a ball to
Nuspahic who headed home the game's second notch.
The Spartans dominated the first half stat sheet, registering
seven shots to CNU's two, while holding a 3-1 edge in
corners.
York's Ports brothers came on strong in the second stanza,
as each recorded a score. Chris Ports tallied off an Adam
Good (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area) assist at the
76:25 mark. Jon Ports (Baltimore, Md./McDonogh)
then put the green and white up by four with his first goal of the
2008 campaign with just over seven minutes remaining in the match.
Christopher Newport's Tyler Clare spoiled the
Spartans' bid for a shutout scoring the Captains' lone
tally with only 1:49 remaining in regulation.
The Spartans grabbed a huge advantage in shots, registering 19
attempts, including 12 in the second half, while Newport recorded
seven for the game. York also held a 10-2 bulge in corner kicks.
Nuspahic posted an incredible debut in the green and white this
weekend, as he notched game-winning scores against both Virginia
Wesleyan and Christopher Newport. Chris Ports made a strong return
to the Spartan lineup as he also tallied a goal in each match.
Spartan goalkeepers Kyle Marks (Yardley,
Pa./Pennsbury), Ryan Hock (Brookeville,
Md./Sherwood), and Kyle Connolly (Stratham,
N.H./Exeter) combined for the victory with Marks making
York's only save of the game. Matt Tengs took the loss in the
Captain goal but did make six saves.
The Spartans begin their 2008 home slate next Saturday,
September 6, when they host Medaille. The action from Graham Field
is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
BOX SCORE
