Staten Island, NY- The MEC Cougars men's soccer squad earned a hard fought 2pts and their first win in CUNYAC play this season. The match that took place on Saturday Oct.8, 2011, the Cougars beat the CSI Dolphins 5-4 in 2 OT's. The COugars improved to 2-12 Overall and 1-3 CUNYAC, while the Dolphins dropped to 3-6-1 Overall, and 1-3 CUNYAC. 

This game was very scrappy from the beginning. The game compiled a total of 55 fouls (29 CSI, 26 MEC). There was also great chances for MEC to score and in this game, they took full advantage. CSI took a 1-0 lead at the 3:28 in the 1st half from a goal by Alfonso Castaneda. Then in the 15th minute, Zeakiel Daley, the freshman sensation for the Cougars was fouled while taking a shot, which resulted in a penalty kick. The pressure was on him, but Daley came threw with a kick to the right of the goalie, tying the game at 1. The score would stay a 1 until the 27th minute. Freshman Mohamed Jalloh would kick a free kick right into the back of the net, making the score 2-1 MEC.

MEC would make a costly decision in the 30th minute, when Lirim Begai for CSI was dribbling and about to make a shot on the Cougars net, when Ibrahim Diallo (MEC) fouled him, resulting in a penalty kick. Begai would score tying the game at 2. Three minute before the end of the first half, Kenneth Zaw from CSI scored giving the Dolphins a 3-2 lead going into the half.

In the 2nd half, action was slow, still passing and defensive plays aggresive from both teams led to miss chances to score. Then CSI took advantage of the MEC goalie Chris Welsh playing outside his area, and in the 74th minute, Alfonso Castaneda lobbed the ball over his head making the score 4-2 CSI. That was his 2nd of the game. A minute later, MEC came storming back, as Daley once again handled a nice pass from James Maynard and kicked the ball pass keeper Ahmed El-Ghareib, making the score 4-3 CSI. Not even a minute later, CSI committs a foul in the penalty box and Daley has a chance to even the game at 5. He delivers and by doing so records a hat trick in the match (3 goals). Game is tied at 4 going into the first overtime and after 10 minutes, they go to a 2nd OT. With 3 minutes left before a tie as a result, Zeakiel Daley from MEC receives a pass which was first kick by Jalloh off a corner kick and defleted from Miguel Rodriguez. Daley kicked it into the back of net sending the Cougars storming onto the field, full of jubilation and making the score 5-4 Cougars which was a final.

Daley finishes with 4 goals. The Cougars outshot the Dolphins 22-12 for the match. The keepers had an eventful match, as Cougars Chris Welsh played 116:39, gave up 4 goals and stopped 4 shots that came his way. His counterpart Ahmed El-Ghareib played 116:39, gave up 5 goals and stopped 8 shots that came his way.

The Cougars will be back in action on Wednesday Oct.12, 2011 when they play the York College Cardinals at 7pm at the Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn, NY.