Utica, NY – Delhi Men's Soccer defeated third-seed Eastern Nazarene 2-1 in the first round of the NAC playoffs in a late-night match under a full moon. The Broncos converted two goals from the penalty spot to advance to the NAC West Final on Sunday, October 29th at 4:00 PM.
THE BASICS
Score: SUNY Delhi Broncos 2 | Eastern Nazarene Lions 1
Records: SUNY Delhi (11-2-4) | Eastern Nazarene (5-7-5)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
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Freshman Jaquan Williams put the Broncos ahead in just the sixth minute, slotting away his first post-season goal with a well-taken penalty.
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Freshman Salvator Meloni, making his second career start, made some huge saves in the first half, keeping the Lions quiet.
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Eastern Nazarene then got their own chance with a penalty kick in the 26th minute but sent it flying high.
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Williams then forced another penalty, this time taken by the NAC scoring leader Roberto Velasquez-Osorio, to extend Delhi's lead to two before the half.
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The second half was a battle with the Lions picking up their first goal of the match in the 71st minute.
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Nazarene outshot the Broncos 10-5 in the half, but Meloni made a team-high this season, nine saves to hold them at bay.
COMMENTS FROM COACH REUTEMANN:
"That was playoff soccer in full force today. Team efforts contributed in every aspect of the game to get the win. Sal Meloni stepped up in the big moments and we were able to finish the game off. In any final, it comes down to one or two moments in both boxes and that will be no different tomorrow. We must be concentrated and driven on the objective come 4:00 pm."
UP NEXT FOR THE BRONCOS
Delhi Men's Soccer will play SUNY Poly back in Utica on Sunday, October 29th at 4:00 PM in the NAC West Final.
