CMCC Beats PSC in First Group Game at USCAA Championships

Coraopolis, PA – CMCC Men's Soccer defeated a familiar foe in their first group play game at the USCAA DII National Championships. Central Maine earned a 2-0 win against fellow Yankee Small College Conference side Paul Smith's. Newly announced USCAA Player of the Year Mitch Cameron scored what proved to be the winner in the 10^th minute and Daniel Semple doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the second half. The Mustangs defense held the Bobcats without a shot attempt for the entire match.

The reigning national champs began their title defense on a cold Friday afternoon at the AHN Montour Sports Complex. CMCC got a boost with the return of captain Alfie Bashford to the back line. The junior center back made his first start and saw his first minutes since being injured at SMCC back on September 18^th.

The defense would not be under much pressure though. Paul Smith's came out in a low block very early in the game looking to limit Central Maine's chances in and around the box and force them to shoot from distance. The Mustangs had to wait nearly ten minutes for their first shot on target, but it was worth the wait. Cameron finished off a move with his 22^nd goal of the campaign to make it 1-0. The sophomore midfielder from Northwich, England was fresh off being named the DII Player of the Year and All-American at the USCAA awards ceremony the night before. Freshman Albie-Fozard Oakes tallied his division-leading 16^th assist on the setup.

The Bobcats did not let the early goal change their strategy, digging in their heals and conceding most of the possession to keep the Mustangs' high-powered offense at bay. A frustrated CMCC squad attempted 24 shots and drew nine saves from goalkeeper Cazmir Couble but still went into the halftime break with only a one-goal advantage.

In the second half, the offense looked a little more patient trying to carve out good opportunities before letting shots fly. Couble produced three more saves in the first ten minutes after the restart but could do nothing about the next attempt. Cameron was fouled in the box in the 57^th minute and Semple stepped up to take the attempt from the penalty spot. The freshman forward held his nerve and tucked his shot into the bottom right corner past the diving Couble. It was Semple's 17^th goal of the season and made him 3-for-4 on converting PKs.

That all but sealed the game. Bashford and Mitchell Maceda quickly smothered any chance PSC created on their rare forays into the attacking half of the field, leaving Cody Cleaveland without having to face even one shot attempt for the first time all year.

The Bobcats continued to protect their own half, looking to keep the goal differential as low as possible. CMCC faced multiple instances of seeing nine defenders in the box between them and the goal. One of the best chances for the third goal came from a Yoan Thériault free kick just outside the penalty area. With two defenders on each post, Matty Waters was able to set up directly in front of Couble, providing a rare onside screen. Thériault's low shot appeared destined for the back of the net before All-American Honorable Mention defender Jacob Butler cleared it off the line.

Central Maine ended the game with a 42-0 advantage in shots while Couble finished with 17 saves. Cameron and Thériault led the squad with eight attempts apiece followed by Semple with seven and Waters, Stephan Samba, and Massimo Di Pilato with four each. The 2-0 victory was tied for the team's lowest goal output against a YSCC opponent this year.

The Mustangs now enjoy a day off on Saturday by virtue of being the #1 seed in the tournament before facing #4 Penn State-Lehigh Valley on Sunday at noon. A victory over the Nittany Lions would guarantee a return trip to the USCAA national championship game on Sunday in Pittsburgh, PA.