DELHI, N.Y. (September 18, 2021) - After five grueling winless matches to start the season, the SUNY Delhi men's soccer team finally hit paydirt at a crucial time with a 3-0 shutout over Northern Vermont Johnson in their North Atlantic Conference (NAC) season opener. Three first-half goals spelled out the Broncos' formula for success Saturday, giving head coach EJ Reutemann his first career win and Delhi looking at a 1-0 league record and 1-4-1 overall.
Prior to Saturday the Broncos scored just two goals all season against six goals allowed through five matches. They never held a lead, but never trailed by more than one goal at any given moment thanks to goalkeeper Jonathan Walch and a strong defense. That all changed against the Badgers in the 29th minute when freshman Michael Williams Jr. scored his second career goal off a centering pass from Anthony Cuellar from the right side, completing a sequence that started with a free kick from John Walsh that led to a shot from Kevin Sikorski that hit the right post. Walsh got his chance in the 38th minute with a penalty kick goal for his first career score. Just over a minute before halftime, Gabriel Monterossa gave the Broncos their third goal following a team effort to keep a scoring opportunity alive. Dylan Davi cut in on a clearing opportunity from Johnson, carrying the ball into the box from the right side. The ball sailed to Sikorski with an open net in front of him, but Badgers keeper Patrick Austin made a diving save. The ball then bounced around between Henry Minet and back to Davi, with Monterrosa there to gather and bury it in the net with 1:19 to play before halftime.
Goalkeeper Jonathan Walch pitched his first shutout of 2021, collecting a pair of saves through 71 minutes of play before giving way to Tucker Garrett. Walch improved his numbers to a 1.00 goals allowed average and .850 save percentage, allowing just six goals all season to date.
"I am excited for the team today to get the first win as a program as active Division III members," said Coach Reutemann. "We looked a bit tired to start the game coming off a very intense game at Bard College the other night. I thought the players that went in at the end of the first half completely changed the game for us. They provided us with a intensity and quality in the final third, that led all three goals. Every healthy player provided us with minutes today so it truly was a complete team win. We have a short break to recover and will need to be focused for a very tough Elmira team come Tuesday."
The Broncos head to Elmira for a Tuesday afternoon affair starting at 4:00 p.m. before resuming their NAC season at home for a weekend series. They welcome Northern Vermont Lyndon Saturday, Sept. 25 at 3:30 p.m., followed by Maine Farmington on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 1:30 p.m.
