By: Valentina Toro
Managing Editor
The university’s men’s soccer team defeated Adelphi University 2-1 Oct. 7, at Jess Dow Field, scoring twice after halftime before protecting its lead in the closing minutes.
The victory extended the Owls’ unbeaten NE10 Conference start to five games and improved their record to 2-0-3 in conference play.
“This was a big one for us,” Buchanan said. “This is probably our big turning point for us to go and really challenge for the league now.”
The first half ended scoreless, but Adelphi created several opportunities. The Owls’ goalkeeper Diego Flores, a sophomore, made four saves before halftime, including three during a stretch of pressure in the 32nd minute.
Forward Andrew Buchanan, a senior, and winger Izan Vila, a freshman, scored with Forward Jimmy Choi, a junior, assisting on both goals.
Choi tested the Adelphi goalkeeper early in the second half and the Owls continued pushing forward until Buchanan broke the tie in the 61st minute.
Buchanan said the difference came from competing for loose balls and making quicker decisions.
“We win a lot of second balls,” Buchanan said. “We just get ourselves up the field.”
Buchanan said scoring mattered most because it put the university ahead and gave his teammates an opportunity to finish the job.
The Owls doubled their advantage in the 80th minute when Choi connected with Vila, who scored his second goal of the season. Choi finished with two assists in 48 minutes off the bench, bringing his season total to three.
Adelphi answered just 77 seconds later. Zain Suterwalla scored off a pass from Cristian Escobar, cutting the deficit to one goal with nearly 10 minutes remaining.
Flores finished with five saves, while both teams recorded 11 shots.
Adelphi entered the match with three conference victories, making the Owls’ ability to withstand the late pressure especially important in the standings.
Head Coach Reuben Ayarna praised the team’s effort.
“I’m really, really proud of them, how they played,” Ayarna said. “They fought for every single ball.”
Ayarna said the team’s ability to adjust defensively has been important during its unbeaten conference stretch.
Different players have filled roles while maintaining communication and organization.
“Next man up, he comes in, he does his job,” Ayarna said. “Everybody’s communicating, everybody’s working.”
Vila said the win could strengthen the team’s confidence and trust moving forward.
“The goal isn’t just mine. It’s the result of all the effort my teammates have put in,” Vila said.
For Ayarna, the result reflected the message he delivered before kickoff: winning sometimes requires more than attractive soccer, particularly when a team must battle through difficult stretches.
“Sometimes you gotta win ugly,” Ayarna said. “There are some days that you play well, you win, and then there are some days that the only thing important is a win.”
