ECAC Tournament Central
DANBURY, CONN. – A spot in the ECAC Men's Soccer Tournament championship match will be on the line when William Paterson (14-7-1, 4-5 NJAC) plays a semifinal contest at Rutgers-Newark (11-8-1, 4-5 NJAC) Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m.
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WHERE:
WHAT'S AT STAKE:
- The team that advances out of the semifinal match will move on to the final Sunday, Nov. 18, at Rutgers-Newark at 5:00 p.m. In the other semifinal Nov. 17, Drew (13-6, 5-2 Landmark) squares off against Wesley (16-4-1, 4-1-1 Atlantic East) at 5:00 p.m.
WP IN THE ECAC TOURNAMENT:
- This is the 16th time that WP is appearing in the ECAC Tournament, including six of the last seven years (1972, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 1991, 1995, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018).
- The Pioneers have their sights set on winning their second ECAC title in program history after claiming the Metro Region crown in 2008.
- A year ago, William Paterson was the No. 2 overall seed and hosted an opening-weekend pod. The Pioneers defeated Brooklyn, 4-0, during the first round Nov. 11. After a 2-2 draw through two overtimes against NYU in the quarterfinals Nov. 12, the Violets advanced on penalty kicks, 4-1.
- The Pioneers are making their second ECAC Tournament semifinal appearance in three years, when WP fell at Lebanon Valley, 2-1, on a goal in the 86th minute. The 2016 season marked a change in format for the ECAC Tournament, moving from four separate regional championships to a 16-team single bracket.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS:
- The fourth seed in Pod 2, William Paterson advanced thanks to a 2-1 first-round win against top-seeded Neumann (11-5-2, 5-0-1 Atlantic East) Nov. 10, and a 2-0 quarterfinal shutout of second-seeded Rutgers-Camden (14-6-2, 6-2-1 NJAC) Nov. 11. WP suffered a 2-1 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament semifinal loss at second-seeded Ramapo (15-2-2, 6-2-1 NJAC) Oct. 30. The Pioneers finished tied with Rutgers-Newark for sixth place in the league standings, and have won seven of their last 10 matches.
- Junior midfielder Cameron Allen (Old Bridge, N.J./Saint John Vianney) was named to the All-NJAC First Team for the second straight year, starting in 21 of the Pioneers' 22 contests and pacing the team in goals (eight), assists (seven) and points (23).
- Senior forward Brandon Harley (Pennsauken, N.J./Pennsauken) owns 15 points (7 g, 1 a). Junior forward Keysean Brant-Sharp (East Brunswick, N.J./East Brunswick), who earned his third all-conference accolade (2016 and 2018 All-NJAC Honorable Mentions, 2017 All-NJAC Second Team), has contributed five goals and four assists for 14 points.
- A member of the 2016 All-NJAC Honorable Mention, the 2017 All-NJAC Second Team and the 2018 All-NJAC First Team, senior back Zach Perez (Edison, N.J./Rutgers Prep) has collected two assists while starting 19 contests this fall on the back line, helping WP record five shutouts defensively.
- A first-year Pioneer after transferring to William Paterson, junior midfielder Jordan Saling (Haledon, N.J./Paramus Catholic) was a second-team all-league pick and has started all 22 matches, posting 10 points (4 g, 2 a). Senior back Ryan Bartel (Emerson, N.J./Emerson) earned his first all-NJAC accolade (honorable mention) after starting 21 of 22 matches for WP this fall.
- Junior goalie Kyle Quigley (Columbus, N.J./Northern Burlington Regional) has compiled a 1.47 goals-against average, .734 save percentage and three shutouts while starting 18 matches in goal. His 206 career saves are the most in Pioneer history.
SCOUTING THE SCARLET RAIDERS:
- The top seed in Pod 3, Rutgers-Newark was a 5-0 first-round winner against fourth-seeded Maritime (14-6-1, 7-2-1 Skyline) Nov. 10, and a 4-2 quarterfinal victor against third-seeded Manhattanville (13-6, 5-2 MAC Freedom) Nov. 11. The Scarlet Raiders finished tied with WP for sixth place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) standings, and snapped a five-match losing streak by winning their last four contests.
- Freshman forward Franco Catania, a member of the 2018 All-NJAC Honorable Mention, leads the team with 15 goals and 33 points.
- Sophomore midfielder Joshua Breton-Jones owns six goals, 18 points and a team-best six assists, while sophomore forward Ariel Parada has collected 15 points (6 g, 3 a).
- Freshman goalkeeper Christian Andrach has posted a 1.59 goals-against average, .785 save percentage and seven shutouts in 19 starts.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
- Sophomore Christopher Fuentes (Red Bank, N.J./Red Bank Regional) provided the game winner during the second overtime period, giving William Paterson (9-4-1, 3-3 NJAC) a key 4-3 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) men's soccer victory against Rutgers-Newark (7-7-1, 2-4 NJAC) Oct. 10 at Pioneer Soccer Park.
- Sophomore Joshua Breton-Jones collected a loose ball in front of goal and finished for a 1-0 Scarlet Raider edge less than nine minutes into the contest.
- Junior midfielder Cameron Allen (Old Bridge, N.J./Saint John Vianney) served a cross from outside the box and senior forward Brandon Harley (Pennsauken, N.J./Pennsauken) volleyed it past the keeper for the tying goal at the 47:00 mark, and 42 seconds later Allen converted a penalty kick for a 2-1 Pioneer advantage.
- Senior midfielder Victor Navas, Jr. headed in a Davi Alves cross 48:08 into the contest to knot the score at 2-2, and freshman forward Franco Catania made it a 3-2 Rutgers-Newark lead with a PK in the 61st minute.
- Senior back Charlie Lizardo (Newark, N.J./East Side) headed a corner kick toward junior midfielder Jordan Saling (Haledon, N.J./Paramus Catholic), who used his own head to finish for the equalizer at the 65:10 mark.
- Fuentes' right-footed shot off a pass from inside the box by junior forward Keysean Brant-Sharp (East Brunswick, N.J./East Brunswick) was the game winner 2:50 into the second and final overtime period.
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