NEWBURGH, NY – Mount Saint Mary College freshman Kevin Ryan (West Islip, N.Y.) scored on a beautiful free kick from the top of the box with 1:31 remaining in double overtime to send the Blue Knights to a 1-0 victory over Centenary College.

“He knew it as soon as he it,” said a very happy Coach Stahl. “I'm proud of the effort and it's a great win for us.”

After several near misses by both teams in the extra session, Mount Saint Mary benefitted from a handball call just outside the box. Senior Brian Strock (Wallkill, N.Y.) stepped over the free kick, leaving it behind for Ryan, who executed a perfect bending shot that snuck inside the right post. The freshman was quickly mobbed by his teammates for tallying the game winner.

Not to be left behind in the celebration was yet another spectacular effort by senior goalkeeper Paul Aries (Nashua, N.H.). Aries finished the contest with nine saves and bailed the Blue Knights out of several tough situations. Perhaps his best save of the night came in the 78th minute as he leapt to touch a deflected shot over the crossbar and out of danger. The senior also made two key saves in the first period of overtime.

The back line for the Blue Knights was solid for the entire evening, even with a very slippery field from an earlier downpour. Strock made an excellent play in the 71st minute, chasing down a potential breakaway, winning the ball, and then playing it off a Centenary forward for a goal kick. Freshman Connor Brady (Brick, N.J.) and sophomore Ryan Folken (Centereach, N.Y.) also put in strong efforts to limit the opportunities for the Cyclones.

For Centenary, senior Sean Chirico (Oak Ridge, N.J.) was the source of much of their offensive pressure. He finished with a team-high four shots. Junior Dan Charkowski (Wayne, N.J.) also had a nice night, consistently slicing through the Mount Saint Mary defense. His shot in the 43rd minute that sailed just high of the frame was one of the better opportunities for the Cyclones. Senior Chris Guadagno (West Milford, N.J.) launched two very dangerous shots in the first session of overtime.

The Blue Knights improved to 3-1-1 on the season and will have more than a week off before opening Skyline Conference play at home against Bard. The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 24.