Soccer Secures Playoff berth with Win

SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa. – Men's Soccer topped Lehigh Carbon by a score of 4-2 to clinch a place in the regional playoffs on Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore forward, Salvatore Ficarotta (Yardley, PA/Pennsbury) lead the way for the Centurions with a goal and two assists for the day. After a week off, Bucks showed some rust for the  game even with the early goal. Just 2 minutes in the contest, freshman defender, Pavlo Shemchuk (Huntingdon Valley, PA/Lower Moreland) out jumped and headed a corner kick from Ficarotta into the back of the net. The remainder of the first half remained even.

The second half Bucks again started quickly when in the 48th minute, Ficarotta scored off a cross from freshman, Dennis Lara (Bensalem, PA/School Lane Charter). Only 5 minutes later in the 53rd minute, Ficarotta off another corner, found the streaking Chris Clark (Morrisville, PA/Pennsbury) who headed it into the back of the net for Bucks' 3rd goal of the day.

Lehigh was quick to respond in the 55th minute when they took advantage of a mistake in the defense to get onto the scoreboard. Both teams battled back and forth which forced a few tough saves by Sophomore goalkeeper, Jorge Ramirez (Bensalem, PA/Bensalem). The hosts close the gap to 3-2 not long after their initial goal. In the 75th minute, sophomore, Prince Boafo hard a beautiful volley from 25 yards out to seal the victory for the Centurions.

"Something to be said for winning ugly since we were sloppy today" commented Head Coach, Justin Burroughs, "fortunately our set piece execution was excellent". This win marks the 150th win at Bucks for coach Burroughs.

The win improves Bucks record to 9-1 overall and 7-0 in EPAC.

Lehigh Carbon falls to 3-8 overall and 3-5 in EPAC.

Next up the Centurions travel for a match with the nation's 5th ranked team, Rowan College of South Jersey - Gloucester on Tuesday, October 1st at 3:30PM.