Kraycik's OT Goal Helps Alvernia Lift ECAC Championship
The Alvernia University Wolves were crowned the 2023 ECAC Division III Men’s Soccer Champions, defeating Penn State Behrend, 2-1, in overtime Sunday afternoon.
Connor Kraycik was named the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and rightfully so. Kraycik scored six goals in three tournament games, with none being as important as the goal he scored in the 93rd minute to give his Alvernia squad their first lead of the game. That goal was enough to lift the Wolves to victory in the title game.
The teams played to a scoreless first half with Penn State Behrend outshooting Alvernia, 5-4, with four of those shots being on target. Alvernia’s keeper Evan Solley stopped all four shots to keep it 0-0.
It took a little over 20 minutes into the second half, but Penn State Behrend would strike first as Justin Hockenberger setup Chris Profaca for the first goal of the game. Hockenberger navigated his way between a few Alvernia defenders before passing the ball across the face of the net to Profaca, who guided the ball across the goal line for the score.
Alvernia stepped up their intensity and found the equalizer in the 85th minute as Ryan Cogill, who scored the overtime game-winner in yesterday’s semifinal victory, headed in his own rebound to tie the game at one apiece.
The Wolves carried the momentum into overtime and wasted little time breaking the tie as Kraycik played hero in the 93rd minute. Cogill sent a cross into the box that Penn State Behrend’s Sam York got a piece of, but he wasn’t able to punch it completely away from danger as the ball found Kraycik, who buried the shot to put Alvernia on top, 2-1.
The Lions faced an uphill battle, not only on the scoreboard, but also on the field as a second yellow card issued at the end of the first overtime for Jac Caputo had Penn State Behrend playing with 10 men for the entirety of the second overtime period. The Lions matched Alvernia in shots, 4-4, but between the Alvernia defense and another instance of a player receiving a second yellow card to be sent off, Penn State Behrend did not have enough to find the equalizer before time expired.
The All-Tournament Team featured six Alvernia players and three Penn State Behrend players. The other three members of the All-Tournament Team came from St. Elizabeth, FDU Florham, and Goucher.
ECAC Division III Men’s Soccer All Tournament Team
Connor Kraycik, Forward, Alvernia
Ryan Cogill, Forward, Alvernia
Evan Solley, Goalie, Alvernia
Nick Willson, Defender, Alvernia
Evan Bauer, Midfield, Alvernia
Gabe Wunderlich, Forward, Alvernia
Chris Profaca, Forward, PSU Behrend
Blake Cooper, Midfield, PSU Behrend
Sam York, Goalie, PSU Behrend
Ethan Mosquera, Midfield, St. Elizabeth
Drilon Toska, Midfield, FDU-Florham
Michael Adenkanmbi, Forward, Goucher