The men’s soccer team increased their record to 4-0, with wins over St. Lawrence University and Clarkson University this past weekend.
The Yellowjackets hit the road to play SLU on Friday – SLU entered the game ranked fifth in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III poll. Strong defense carried the Yellowjackets over SLU in a shutout, 1-0. Strong defense allowed the SLU, a total of six shots in the game only.
Sophomore Paco Corbalan continued his strong play at goal, earning his second shutout of the year. Senior Gary Stom picked up his second goal of the season for the Yellowjackets.
UR’s win at SLU, a national contender, is a key one in the regional rankings. Last week SLU held the top stop, and UR was right behind at number two.
The Yellowjackets took the field at Clarkson University with the potential for an emotional letdown – following their big victory on the road versus SLU.
However, it was the offense that guided the Yellowjackets over Clarkson, 5-1 on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Patrick Ripp ripped two goals to lead the way for the Yellowjackets.
Sophomores Nick Mikolenko and Neil Osuch each had goals and senior Jeremy Goico scored on a penalty kick. Defensively, the Yellowjackets held tough for the fourth straight game – Clarkson’s lone goal was committed by the Yellowjacket defense.
Last week’s Flower City Soccer Tournament Most Valuable Player, Mikolenko, picked up two more awards for his explosive offensive play. The sophomore was named Men’s Soccer Player of the Week by the University Athletic Association and Male Athlete of the Week by Rochester Area College Athletics. Mikolenko totaled four goals and one assist in a pair of wins over SUNY Oswego and St. John Fisher College in the Flower City Tournament.
Rovinsky can be reached at mrovinsky@campustimes.org.
