RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Despite scoring two goals in the final 10 minutes, the Caldwell College men's soccer team was unable to overcome a 3-0 deficit, losing to No. 21 Dominican College 3-2 in the semifinals of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Thursday afternoon at Tryon Field. The fourth-seeded Cougars fall to 12-6-1 on the season with the loss, while the Chargers (11-3-3) advance to Saturday's finals.
Dominican took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by James Hamilton in the seventh minute. The score remained the same until 14 minutes into the second half, when Ryan Clancy scored on a counterattack to put the Chargers up 2-0. About three minutes later, Jhonny Arteaga headed in a corner kick from Clancy to give Dominican a commanding 3-0 lead.
But the Cougars kept battling and creating scoring chances despite trailing by three goals. With 11 minutes left in the game, Caldwell's efforts paid off with an unassisted goal from junior midfielder Nicholas Harriott (St. Catherine, Jamaica/Campion). Harriott collected a loose ball, dribbled into the penalty area on the left side and fired a shot into the right side of the goal for his third tally in as many games. The Cougars misfired on a couple more chances before freshman midfielder Justin Miller (Monroe, NJ/Monroe) pounced on a failed clearance off a corner kick and scored from 15 yards out with 1:57 remaining. Caldwell pressed for the equalizer and had a pair of scoring chances from junior defender Jan Marco Jiras (Lima, Peru) and senior forward Uke Dauti (West Orange, NJ/West Orange) in the game's final minute. But Dominican held on for its seventh straight win over the Cougars.
Junior goalkeeper John Plaugic (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) made two saves and Dominican's Robert Kelly made three as the Cougars out-shot the Chargers 12-9 for the game.
The loss marks the end of the careers of six Caldwell seniors who led the Cougars to a record of 46-27-9 over the past four seasons. Dauti, forwards Bard Skjelstad (Bodo, Norway) and J.P. Herring (Barnegat, NJ/Southern Regional), midfielders Jorge Ibarcena (Lima, Peru) and Miguel Walker (St. Catherine, Jamaica/Wolmer's) and defender Gary Mullings (St. Elizabeth, Jamaica/Munroe) helped their team advance to two CACC Tournament finals and earn the program's first national ranking during their careers.
CC - 0 2 - 2
DC - 1 2 - 3
Scoring Summary: 1. DC - James Hamilton (Diego Barahona), 6:28. 2. DC - Ryan Clancy (Robert Kelly, Jhonny Arteaga), 59:11. 3. DC - Arteaga (Clancy), 63:20. 4. CC - Nicholas Harriott 3 (unassisted), 79:00. 5. CC - Justin Miller 3 (unassisted), 88:03.
Shots: CC - 12; DC - 9
Saves: CC - John Plaugic 2; DC - Robert Kelly 3
Corners: CC - 6; DC - 2
Fouls: CC - 14; DC - 7
Offsides: CC - 4; DC - 2
Cautions: CC - Jiras (31:42), Carlsson (59:37), Walker (66:56), Miller (80:57); DC - Arteaga (47:52)
