Vermont Wins America East Championship

Catamounts Continue Comeback Trail

November 18, 2007

VESTAL, NY – The fifth straight win and seventh straight shutout for the Vermont men’s soccer team continued its storybook run to the NCAA Tournament after Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Binghamton in the America East Championship.

The Catamounts, who’ve gone 6-1-2 since starting the season a woeful 3-8, will advance to the national tournament for the eighth time in school history. The conference title is the fourth for the Catamounts and their first since 2000. The team’s seventh straight shutout tied a school record.

A first half goal by Jordan Crasilneck and a spectacular defensive effort led by goalkeeper Roger Scully (East Lyme, Conn.) help avenge last year’s 1-0 overtime loss to Binghamton in the title game.

"We have been waiting since last year to get this back,” Vermont coach Jesse Cormier told UVM Athletics. “The process for [Saturday] began last winter with the hard work everyone did off the field."

The Catamounts opened the scoring when Tyler Hasman set up Crasilneck in the 20th minute. Hasman dribbled to the top of the penalty area and fed Crasilneck on the left side. His low drive from 15 yards beat Binghamton keeper Jason Stenta to the far corner. Scully kept it 1-0 at the half with a great save snuffing Justin Leskow's bid from point blank range with 2:54 before the break.

UVM had several solid scoring opportunities including two by Crasilneck that were stopped by Stenta. Binghamton increased its pressure and Scully had a pair of sparkling diving saves. He stopped Darren McAllister with 18:30 to go and robbed Cameron Keith in the goalmouth with just under five minutes left in regulation.

Vermont outshot Binghamton, 13-11, including 7-6 in the second half to hold off the Bearcats (14-6-0). Scully finished with five saves while Stenta made seven.

Scully was named the championship's Most Outstanding Player and was joined on the all-championship team by Crasilneck as well as backs Jake McFadden (Colchester, Vt.) and Connor Tobin (Fort Collins, Colo.).

America East Men's Soccer Championship

Saturday, November 10 – Quarterfinals
No. 6 New Hampshire 0, at No. 3 Boston University 0 (UNH Advanced on Penalty Kicks, 4-2)
No. 5 UMBC 1, at No. 4 Hartford 1 (UMBC Advanced on Penalty Kicks, 5-4)

Wednesday, November 14 – Semifinals
at No. 2 Vermont 2, New Hampshire 0
at No. 1 Binghamton 1, UMBC 0

Saturday, November 17 – Finals
Vermont 1, at Binghamton 0

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