Courtesy of UofRAthletics.com
ROCHESTER, NY – The University of Rochester captured its 15th title in 28 years of the UR Flower City Soccer Classic on Saturday evening following a 2-1 win over Misericordia University at Edwin Fauver Stadium.
Rochester finished the tournament with a 2-0 record and six points for the team title. St. John Fisher was second with a 1-0-1 record (3 points) while Illinois Wesleyan was third with one point following an 0-1-1 record. Misericordia was fourth going 0-2 over the two day event.
The Yellowjackets got an early goal from tournament MVP Geoffrey Rouin to take a 1-0 lead. In the 11th minute, Mitch Volis chipped a high ball into the penalty area where Rouin leaped above the defense and headed it into the left side of the net for his second goal in as many games.
Misericordia’s best chance of the opening half came at the 15 minute mark when Ethan Aigeldinger headed a shot towards the goal mouth, looking for a teammate from in close on the left wing. The cross was bobbled by UR keeper Redd Brown, but fortunately for the Yellowjackets, no Cougar player was there to capitalize.
In the 26th minute, UR’s Josh Cooley ripped a hard turnaround shot off the right post, nearly making it 2-0 Rochester, with the attempt coming after a slick feed inside from Rouin.
It was a slow start to the second half for both schools with the first opportunity coming in the 68th minute. Rochester’s Ryan Aspenleiter slid a nice cross into the box looking for a sliding teammate in Bryce Ikeda, but the pass led him a bit too far, sailing wide of the net.
Rochester made it 2-0 in the 80th minute. Stefan Sarkovich scored on a quick strike in the box off a cross from Aspenleiter on the left wing, giving the senior his first collegiate goal.
With under a minute to play, Misericordia found the back of the net on a long shot from straight out 30 yards to the top right corner from Levi Roberts.
In addition to earning the team trophy and MVP honors, Rochester’s Lasha Alkhazishvili earned Best Defensive Player Honors, while St. John Fisher’s Bryan Rollins earned the Best Offensive Player award.
Misericordia’s keeper, Patrick Hoffman made three saves in the contest, while Brown did not make a save in the UR net. Overall, Rochester held a 11-2 shot advantage.
The Yellowjackets return to action on Tuesday evening when they play host to St. John Fisher at 7 pm.
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