Gulls Crowned as 2014 ECAC Champions; Greco Notches Game Winner in Extra Time

2014 Endicott Men's Soccer: ECAC Champions Photo Gallery

BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott men's soccer team hosted Colby-Sawyer on Sunday afternoon for the 2014 Division III ECAC Men's Soccer Championship. With an extra time goal by junior Mark Greco (Belchertown, Mass.) the Gulls were crowned the 2014 champions. The title is the first for Endicott since 1998 and second overall championship in program history. Endicott capped off the season at 12-7-4 while the Chargers end their season at 13-7-2.

Endicott has made just three ECAC appearances in program history as they have earned the first ECAC banner for the program. The last title the Gulls earned was back in 1998 where they were crowed the GNAC Champions. The 2014 season, under the leadership of fourth year head coach, Joe Calabrese, has been marked as the second winningest record in their history.

The first half was a battle as both sides ripped eight shots while the Gulls earned two corner kicks to the Chargers zero. Both goalkeepers, senior Alex Jorge (Billerica, Mass.) for the Blue and Green and senior Nick Austin (Westerly, R.I.) for the Chargers each made some key stops in the half.

In the opening minutes of the half senior Jed Magnusson (Kingston, N.H.) took the first big shot for the Gulls after he went up for a crisp header but Austin was able to make the stop. At the 12:55 mark, sophomore Brion Likaj (Salem, Mass.) took his chance at header but again Austin made the big save to keep the game at nil.

Both sides continued to work the final third and the Chargers let off their first big shot of the game at the 16 minute mark after junior Zach Anderson (Wilmington, Mass.) blasted a shot to goal but Jorge was able to jump up and make the clutch save. Less than a minute later Endicott countered back as senior Connor Gibbs (Westborough, Mass.) sent a solid shot to the top corner but again Austin made the save.

After battling for possession and the tempo of the match the Gulls took control with four minutes to go in the first half. Junior Zach Rizzo (Redding, Conn.) started the play after working up the field and bypassing two Charger defenders where he was able to find junior Diego Slobotzky (Mexico City, Mexico) in front of the goal. Slobotzky ripped a shot at goal but Austin made the initial save, however the striker did not give up as he controlled the rebound and sent the shot back to goal to secure his 10^th goal of the season. With the goal Endicott took a 1-0 lead entering halftime.

The second half was just as big of a battle as the first as Colby-Sawyer just outshot the Gulls 11-9.

At the 52 minute mark the Chargers almost made it a tie game after freshman Cam Crowley (Bangor, Maine) blasted a shot to the top right corner, but Jorge made an incredible diving save to keep his team in the lead.

The Chargers would continue to pepper the Endicott defense and in the final minutes Colby-Sawyer notched the game tying goal. Freshman Mohamed Jafar (Burlington, Vt.) scored just his second goal of the season after controlling a scramble in front of the net to force extra time.

With the title on the line, the Blue and Green went full force from the opening whistle of extra time. Just 2:24 into overtime Greco received a crisp feed from Gibbs and sent to ball to the top right corner for the victory.

Jorge was stealthy in net for the Gulls in the title game making six key saves while his counterpart, Austin made five.

During the post-game ceremonies Slobotzky was tabbed as the ECAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Slobotzky wrapped up the season with 10 goals, seven assists and 27 points.