HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Sept. 1, 2011) – The Centenary College (1-0) men’s soccer team defeated the Baruch College Bearcats (0-1) 2-0 in a high intensity game to start off the 2011 season.

The Cyclones came out shooting early with 11 shots in the first half alone, five of which were on goal. In the 17th minute, freshman Quinn Khouri (Eldersburg, Md./Liberty) played a goal kick from goalkeeper Jason Rogers (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills) deep into the Bearcat backfield. With the help of a misplayed ball off a Baruch defender, Khouri was able to drive the ball around the Bearcat goalie and into the net for his first collegiate goal to give the Cyclones a 1-0 lead.

Later in the first half, following missed opportunities by both teams, senior Andrew Pinnella (Brielle, N.J./Manasquan) ripped a shot at the buzzer that was just knocked away by Bearcat goalkeeper Michael Murphy to hold the lead at 1-0 going into the half.

The intensity continued after halftime as Pinnella was taken down hard in the 50th minute by the Bearcat goalie to allow for his first penalty kick of the year. With the Cyclones only up by one goal, Pinnella ripped a shot into the back left corner of the goal to extend the lead to 2-0.

The Cyclones continued to attack the net in the second half when senior Jimmy Corey (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) took a strong shot that just deflected off the left goalpost and back into the center of the box. With the ball falling loose into the box, sophomore Nick Telle (Union, N.J./Roselle Catholic) was able to rip another shot before Murphy could make a save to keep the lead at 2-0.

With less than six minutes left to go in the game, intensity continued to flare as senior Luis Villacis (Newark, N.J./St. Benedicts) received his first yellow card of the season. With the momentum of the yellow card, Baruch junior Fardad Sabzevari ripped a free kick towards the net, but Rogers was able to knock the ball wide of the net and help carry the Cyclones to a 2-0 victory.