2022 Skyline Conference Men's Soccer Championship - Semifinal
(3) USMMA 1, (2) Farmingdale State 0 (OT)
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. | In a defensive battle by both sides, third-seeded U.S. Merchant Marine Academy registered a 1-0, extra-time victory Thursday night over second-seeded host Farmingdale State College in the semifinal round of the 2022 Skyline Conference Men's Soccer Championship.
USMMA (11-4-5) advances to Sunday's championship final, where it will play host to fifth-seeded Yeshiva University at 1 p.m.
Merchant Marine came out quickly as Connor Damare got open in the middle of the box and had his shot blocked just wide of the net. On the ensuing corner kick, Miguel Millan attempted a shot that was off target before FSC (9-6-3) senior goalkeeper Justin Silva (Bellerose, N.Y.; seven saves) had to make a diving save on Mariners Hudson Magee.
USMMA maintained the pressure and drew three consecutive corner kicks in the 22nd minute. Silva made a leaping stop on a shot by Derek Vanasse that followed by hitting the crossbar.
Each team had one shot on goal prior to the end of the half as the game went into the break scoreless.
The best scoring chance from either side in the second stanza came in the 57th minute of action, when Rams sophomore striker Joseph Raso (E. Islip, N.Y.) found himself in alone on goal. However, his shot was turned aside by Mariners' keeper Ashton Carey (four saves), and the teams went into the end of full time scoreless.
In extra time, play was even for the duration, before USMMA won a throw-in deep down the right sideline in the waning seconds of the second segment. Vanasse's throw into the area found the head at the near post of one of his teammates, before deflecting into the net for an own goal with less than eight ticks on the clock.
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