The NCAA News - News Features

Unlikely hero

Laurinaitis leads College of New Jersey to soccer title

College of New Jersey defenseman Mark Laurinaitis didn't figure to be a scoring threat coming into the Division III Men's Soccer Championship match at Kenyon.

The senior tricaptain had scored just once during his career, but he doubled his production in the final and carried the Lions to a 2-1, four-overtime victory over Kenyon December 1.

Even more remarkable than Laurinaitis' scoring was his timing. With only six ticks remaining on the clock in the fourth overtime period before the match would have gone into penalty kicks, Laurinaitis found room in a scramble after a corner kick to punch a shot past Lords goalkeeper Elliott Shay.

The last-second goal made a winner out of senior goalkeeper Rob Jordan, who kept the Lords scoreless after an early tally just over seven minutes into the game.

"Rob has been one of the most consistent players we've had all year," said Lions coach George Nazario. "He shared time with our other goalie through the season, but we decided to go with him in the tournament because he has big-game experience. He's a great leader out there making sure everyone is taking care of defense."

It was the Lions' defense that prolonged the contest. Kenyon controlled the ball repeatedly for lengthy periods, but the Lions would not break. Jordan also contributed a great save early in the fourth overtime, just getting a foot on the ball enough to deflect a Kenyon shot past the left post.

"Overall, Kenyon had the better of play," Nazario said. "But the bottom line is how many balls end up in the net. A corner kick is always dangerous because there is usually a scramble that follows. This one worked out for us. It's a shame that there has to be a loser in a game like this because both teams definitely left their hearts on the field."

Laurinaitis' first goal came midway through the first half off a direct kick and knotted the score at 1-1. Kenyon had scored first with a Jamion Berry goal off a feed from Wayne Albertyn.

"It was a great, robust effort," said Kenyon coach Jack Detchon. "It was an absolutely terrific game. My players played outstandingly against a very good New Jersey team. It was a marvelous performance -- a performance separated by chance, a bit of luck and a brilliant save by their goalkeeper."

The title was College of New Jersey's first in 12 tournament appearances and culminated a 17-5-1 season. Kenyon's runner-up finish was the school's best in seven tournament appearances. The Lords finished 18-3-1.

Both semifinal matches also went to the wire. College of New Jersey escaped in penalty kicks against Ithaca as the Lions converted all five kicks in the tiebreaker. Jordan had to block the Bombers' final attempt to enable the Lions to advance. Ithaca, making its first semifinal appearance, finished 14-4-2.

Kenyon used a goal by Per Willen with under three minutes to play to stave off Chicago, 3-2. The goal was just Willen's fourth of the season and came minutes after Chicago's Brooks Cowan knotted the score on a pass from Morgan Wright. Chicago, advancing to the semifinals in its initial tournament appearance, completed a 15-4-2 campaign.

SEMIFINALS

Ithaca -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- (4)--0

Col. of New Jersey -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- (5)--0

Overtime: Col. of New Jersey advanced on the basis of penalty kicks, 5-4.

Shots: Ithaca 6, Col. of New Jersey 10. Saves: Ithaca (Chris Lucci) 10, Col. of New Jersey (Rob Jordan) 6. Corner kicks: Ithaca 4, Col. of New Jersey 6. Fouls: Ithaca 18, Col. of New Jersey 13. Attendance: 424.

Chicago -- 0 -- 2--2

Kenyon -- 1 -- 2--3

First half: K--Isaac Gowin (Tony Mohammed), 2:00.

Second half: C--David Driscoll (unassisted), 46:17; K--Gowin (Jamion Berry), 57:21; C--Brooks Cowan (Morgan Wright), 78:00; K--Per Willen (Wayne Albertyn), 87:45.

Shots: Chicago 6, Kenyon 10. Saves: Chicago (David Collar) 5, Kenyon (Chris Schilling) 5. Corner kicks: Chicago 3, Kenyon 7. Fouls: Chicago 6, Kenyon 13. Attendance: 842.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Col. of New Jersey -- 1 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 1--2

Kenyon -- 1 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0--0

First half: K--Jamion Berry (Wayne Albertyn), 7:12; CNJ--Mark Laurinaitis (Joe Mahon), 30:39.

Overtime: CNJ--Laurinaitis (unassisted), 149:54.

Shots: Col. of New Jersey 6, Kenyon 10. Saves: Col. of New Jersey (Rob Jordan) 9, Kenyon (Elliott Shay) 4. Corner kicks: Col. of New Jersey 9, Kenyon 9. Fouls: Col. of New Jersey 24, Kenyon 20. Attendance: 1,124.