YORK, PA - The York College men's soccer team edged visiting Capital Athletic Conference opponent Hood College 3-0 in their last game before moving into the CAC tournament. York (13-1-4, 6-0-2) moved past a first half when they struggled to finish their attack on multiple occasions, only to come out at halftime and score three goals on the afternoon.

The Green and Whites scoring opened in the second half of play when senior Justin Suchoski (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) led a pass to Jon Ports (Baltimore, Md./McDonogh). Ports crossed the pass to the far side of the goal where Kemal Nuspahic (East Petersburg, Pa./Warwick) drew the goalkeeper off the net and Brett Sauerberger (Little Silver, N.J./Monmouth Regional) drove the ball into the back of the goal for his first tally of the year (50:23).

Mike O'Connell (Bowie, Md./Archbishop Spalding) notched the Spartans next goal when the Blazers goalkeeper, freshman William Lane, mishandled a Mike Gill (Baltimore, Md./Calvert Hall) blast as O'Connell knocked home the rebound for his ninth goal of the season. The goal gave the Spartans a comfortable 2-0 lead in the game (64:49).

The final goal of the Spartans regular season came via York's freshman sensation Antonio Bua (Lancaster, Pa./Laupeter-Strasburg). Bua's great individual effort inside the box netted him a left-footed goal, his third tally of the season (74:28).

The Spartans opened the game with strategic ball movement to keep play in Blazer territory, and held a majority of the possession. The first half was a human highlight film of the Blazers' goalkeeper. On multiple Spartan attacks, Lane proved to be a stonewall holding the Spartans to a scoreless half despite York's fourteen shots.

Excitement started in the game when the Green and White's Lucas Emil (Parsippany, N.J./Morris Catholic) dribbled passed two defenders before being tackled. The loose ball was picked up by senior Ports who crossed the Hood goalkeeper but missed the open net wide left.

Another of York's multiple opportunities came when Ports serviced a lofted ball to O'Connell whose attempt at a header went high and ricochet off the crossbar.

At half time, York led in the shots category by a count of 14-1, only to finish the game leading 40-1. York also held the game lead with sixteen shots on goal while shutting out Hood in that category.

The Spartans take center stage in the opening round of the CAC playoffs where they will host a team to be determined. York enters the conference tourney as the second seed after finishing the season with 20 points in conference play trailing only Salisbury who notched 22 points. York will open up the tournament on Tuesday, November 3, at Graham Field. Please check www.ycpspartans.com for updates and game time.

BOX SCORE

Brett Sauerberger photo courtesy of Steve Doemland (www.stevedoemland.com)

Game story written by Garrett Wampler - York College Sport Information Student Intern