BOX SCORE
JAMAICA, N.Y. - Fifth-seeded John Jay College captured its second CUNY Athletic Conference Men's Soccer championship and first since 2019 on Saturday, defeating sixth-seeded Medgar Evers College 3-1 in a penalty-kick shootout after the teams battled to a 2-2 draw through 110 minutes at the York College Outdoor Athletic Complex. The Bloodhounds (9-7-2) rallied from a second-half deficit to secure the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship.
Medgar Evers (10-3-3), making its first championship appearance since 2002, was seeking its second conference title in program history.
John Jay goalkeeper Davio Rossi-levin was named Championship Most Valuable Player after registering five saves and making a pair of saves during the penalty kick shootout. He also recorded shutouts in the first round and the semifinals of the CUNYAC Championship.
John Jay opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Alejandro De Jesus netted his first goal of the season to give the Bloodhounds a 1-0 advantage. Medgar Evers answered in the 32nd minute as CUNYAC Rookie of the Year Shackoneal Myrurrie scored his 15th goal of the season off an assist from Kevin Blackstock Jr., sending the teams into halftime tied at 1-1.
The Cougars took their first lead of the contest in the 63rd minute when Blackstock scored his eighth goal of the season, with Myrurrie providing the assist.
John Jay responded in the 81st minute when Daniel Mansur scored his second goal of the season. An initial shot by Sebastian Leja was stopped by MEC keeper Vendel Joseph, but Mansur knocked home the rebound to even the score at 2-2.
The teams remained deadlocked through two 10-minute overtime periods. Medgar Evers registered three shots during the extra sessions, while John Jay recorded three attempts in the second overtime period.
In the penalty-kick shootout, both teams missed their opening attempts before John Jay's Petur Larusson and Medgar Evers' Shammar Edwards converted in the second round. Mansur scored in the third round to give the Bloodhounds a 2-1 advantage, while Rossi-levin stopped Medgar Evers' third attempt. Helmer Herrera then converted John Jay's fourth attempt to extend the lead to 3-1. Rossi-levin came up with another save in the fourth round to clinch advancement for the Bloodhounds.
Both teams finished with 17 shots, with Medgar Evers holding a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal. John Jay held a 6-4 edge in corner kicks. Joseph recorded two stops in the draw.
The Bloodhounds reached the championship match after defeating fourth-seeded Lehman 2-0 in the opening round and knocking off top-seeded Baruch 1-0 in the semifinals. Medgar Evers advanced to the final with consecutive 1-0 victories over third-seeded Brooklyn and second-seeded Hunter.
John Jay will represent the CUNYAC in the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship, with the tournament field and first-round matchups to be announced during the NCAA selection show on Monday at 11 am.
Championship MVP Davio Rossi-levin
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