CALDWELL, N.J. - Senior midfielder Michael Stempinski (Metuchen, NJ/Metuchen) broke a scoreless tie in the 79th minute to give the Caldwell College men's soccer team a 1-0 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas in a non-conference match Monday afternoon at Caldwell Field. The Cougars, who are ranked seventh in the latest New England Region rankings, improved to 6-3-2 on the season, while the Spartans dropped to 4-6.

Stempinski's game-winner was created off a free kick by sophomore midfielder Jorge Ibarcena (Lima, Peru) that was sent to the far post. Freshman defender Andrew Fraser (Kingston, Jamaica/Wolmer's) headed the ball back across the face of the goal to the near post, where Stempinski nodded the ball home for his first tally of the season.

The Spartans pressed for the equalizer in the game's remaining minutes, earning several deep throw-ins and a corner kick, but they were unable to put the ball in the Cougars' goal.

Sean McEnery made two saves for St. Thomas Aquinas, and freshman John Perehinec (Clifton, NJ/Clifton) did not record a save as the Cougars out-shot the Spartans 15-7.

Next up for the Cougars is an important Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference match at Dominican College on Wednesday, Oct. 13. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.

CC - 0 1 - 1

STAC - 0 0 - 0

Scoring Summary: 1. CC - Michael Stempinski 1 (Andrew Fraser, Jorge Ibarcena), 78:50.

Shots: CC - 15; STAC - 7

Saves: Perehinec, CC - 0; McEnery, STAC - 2

Corner Kicks: CC - 4; STAC - 2

Fouls: CC - 12; STAC - 9

Offsides: CC - 7; STAC - 1

Yellow Cards: none