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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Rochester made it 2-0 in the 80th minute.Â
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Yellowjackets return to action on Tuesday evening when they play host to St. John Fisher at 7 pm.
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