Bears Soccer Concludes Conference Play with Victory Over Webb

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) men's soccer team scored three goals in the first 20 minutes of action en route to a 3-1 victory over Hudson Valley Men's Athletic Conference opponent Webb Institute for their second conference win of the season setting a school record on Sunday afternoon in Glen Cove.

St. Joseph's (3-9, 2-4 HVMAC) was led by freshman Matthew O'Neill (Brooklyn, NY/St. Edmund Prep) who tallied the game-winning goal to go along with 7 shots on goal.

The Bears dominated the opening stanza holding a 25-9 shot advantage despite playing down a man. St. Joseph's had possession of the ball in Webb's half of the field for most of the first half but would be frustrated by Webb goalkeeper Tyler Totten who played almost near mid-field for the entire game. The Bears would end up being called offsides 10 times for the game.

Junior Nick Orlando (Brooklyn, NY/Christ the King) opened up the scoring for St. Joseph's in the 9th minute when he took a pass from sophomore Raul Urshela (Orlando, FL/Colonial) and put the ball in the back of the net using his left foot. The goal is the first of the junior's career career and Orlando would finish with three shots on goal.

The Webbies (0-9, 0-6 HVMAC) climbed their way back into the game when they scored directly off a corner kick by Illya Mouravieff in the 12th minute of action. That would end up being Webb's lone legitimate scoring chance as they were stymied by Bears sophomore goalkeeper Vincent Rossi (Bayside, NY/Holy Cross) who  made 13 saves on his way to earning the win while only making his second start of the season in net.

St. Joseph's struck again in the 17th minute as O'Neill took a ball from senior Derrick Akwei (Bronx, NY/Port Angeles HS) and dribble around the goalie and find the open net for his seventh goal of the season.  The Bears concluded their scoring with a goal in the 20th minute when the original shot on goal by Akwei was saved by Totten but the rebound would go to Urshela and he would find the back of the net for his seventh goal of the season giving St. Joseph's a 3-1 lead going into halftime.  With the goal and assist Urshela now leads the team with 16 points.

The second half saw limited scoring chances for both teams and would be an even half with St. Joseph's holding a 14-12 shot advantage.  The Webbies possessed the ball more in the Bears half in the second stanza but neither team capitalized on their opportunities.

Totten made 19 saves in the loss for Webb.

St. Joseph's returns to action on Sunday, November 4th concluding their season with a home game against Yeshiva scheduled for a noon kickoff.