WATERBURY, Conn. – The Caldwell University men's soccer team lost to top-seeded Philadelphia University, 4-1 in the semifinals of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Thursday afternoon at Post University's Lamoy Field. The result eliminates the Cougars from the tournament and ends their season at 13-6, while the defending CACC-champion Rams advance to Saturday's finals.

Caldwell's 13 victories ties the program record for most wins in a season, matching the 2004 squad that finished 13-8-1.

The game turned in the 30th minute, when Philadelphia scored twice in a 22-second span for a 2-0 lead. Victor Chagonda scored 29:37 into the first half, then a cross was deflected off a Caldwell defender and into the goal at 29:59. The Rams increased their lead just 44 seconds after halftime with a goal by Sieji Rose. Caldwell got on the scoreboard in the 52nd minute, when senior midfielder Cole Downs (Bricktown, NJ/Brick Twp.) blasted a crossing pass from the right side towards the goal. A Philadelphia defender knocked the ball into the net while trying to defend the play, cutting the deficit to 3-1. But Jordan Lynch closed out the scoring with a goal in the 78th minute in the Rams' 4-1 win.

Junior goalkeeper Michael Hartmann (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) showed why he was chosen to the all-CACC first team earlier this week by making several quality saves and finishing with eight saves for Caldwell. Thomas Attamante recorded two saves for Philadelphia.

The game also marked the final collegiate performance for seniors Downs, Yousef Elhusseini (Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge), Kyle Felton (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South), Steve Petrosino (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South) and Evan Teitelbaum (Holmdel, NJ/Holmdel). A sixth senior, Tim Centineo (Holmdel, NJ/Holmdel), missed most of the season due to injury.

CU – 0 1 – 1
PU – 2 2 – 4
Scoring Summary: 1. PU – Victor Chagonda (Ishmaiah Calwrie), 29:37. 2. PU – Own goal, 29:59. 3. PU – Seiji Rose (unassisted), 45:44). 4. CU – Own goal, 51:30. 5. PU – Jordan Lynch (unassisted), 77:25.
Shots: CU – 4; PU – 19
Saves: CU – Michael Hartmann 8; PU – Thomas Attamante 2
Corners: CU – 5; PU – 5
Fouls: CU – 16; PU – 7
Offsides: CU – 0; PU – 6
Cautions: CU – Ekman (59:03), Petrosino (63:48); PU – Chagonda (25:52)   

CACC Men's Soccer Tournament
Quarterfinals – Nov. 3
No. 1 Philadelphia 2, No. 8 Bloomfield 1 (OT)
No. 4 Caldwell 1, No. 5 Chestnut Hill 0
No. 6 Wilmington 2, No. 3 Concordia 0
No. 2 Dominican 4, No. 7 Post 0

Semifinals – Nov. 6 at Post University's Lamoy Field
No. 1 Philadelphia 4, No. 4 Caldwell 1
No. 6 Wilmington 2, No. 2 Dominican 1 (OT)

Finals – Nov. 8 at Post University's Lamoy Field
No. 1 Philadelphia vs. No. 6 Wilmington, 1:30 p.m.