Nov13

Men's Soccer at LIU-Southampton

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. - Desmond Megna scored two goals, including the game-winner with 8:36 remaining in the third overtime session as No. 3 LIU-Southampton defeated No. 15 East Stroudsburg University in an NCAA Division II Tournament First Round match, Saturday afternoon.

Megna's "golden goal", which ended the Warriors' 13-game winning streak and season, was originally saved by goalie Jason Land, but the ball deflected off of defender Sean Stewart and went into the net, sealing the win after more than 126 minutes of action. The fact that the ball deflected off Stewart was ironic in that he was the player largely responsible for stopping many Colonial threats throughout the game.

"He was the best player on the field," LIU-Southampton coach Ed Goodhines said. "He was head and shoulders better than anybody else."

Stewart's stellar play on the defensive end kept the Warriors close throughout the match. ESU's offense managed only seven shots, including only three in regulation and none in the entire second half. Southampton, on the other hand, tallied 29 shots.

Megna led his team to an early lead when he took a cross-field pass from Andreas Lindberg and drilled into the lower left corner of the ESU net with 6:12 elapsed in the first half. The Colonials controlled much of the first half action, but the Warriors were able to capitalize on their best scoring opportunity 16 minutes later.

Jorge Chapoy received a crossing pass from Ahmet Kose in the left-hand side of the penalty box and booted the ball past keeper Roger Svensson to even the game at 1-1.

After a scoreless second half, the teams played a first 15-minute overtime session. And in that period ESU was dealt a tough blow when leading scorer Pat Stanco suffered a concussion with 11 seconds left. Stanco was forced to sit out the rest of the contest.

The Warriors played strong throughout the second and third overtimes, but Lindberg found Megna all alone on the right wing, and he was able to carry the ball to within feet of the goal. Land made a diving save, knocking the ball in front of the net, where it hit Stewart and trickled in to end the game.

ESU finishes the season 18-3, including a perfect 8-0 mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The 18 wins tie the 1994 team for most in a season. LIU-Southampton advances to the second round of the NCAA tournament where it will face the winner of the match between Southern Connecticut State and New Hampshire College.

East Stroudsburg (18-3) 1-0-0-0-0 1

LIU-Southampton (16-0-2) 1-0-0-0-1 2

LIU - Desmond Megna (Andreas Lindberg), 6:12

ESU - Jorge Chapoy (Ahmet Kose), 22:19

LIU - Megna (Lindberg), 126:24

Shots: ESU 7, LIU 29. Corner Kicks: ESU 4, LIU 8. Goalie Saves: ESU - Jason Land (127 minutes) 11, Roger Svensson (127 minutes) 3.