Sept. 24, 2002
The Matchup: The Seawolves (0-7) travel to face Sacred Heart on Wednesday to take on the Pioneers (0-5). Stony Brook comes off a tough 3-1 loss at home to Philadelphia on Saturday, while Sacred Heart fell to Northestern, 5-0, on Sunday.
Series History: Stony Brook leads the all-time series 5-2-1, winning the last four meetings. The Seawolves captured a 3-2 overtime victory last year against the Pioneers. Stony Brook scored two goals within a three-minute span to take a 2-1 lead. Sacred Heart countered to even the game and send it to overtime, but the Seawolves scored the gamewinner just three minutes into the extra period.
Scouting the Pioneers: Sacred Heart has opened the season with a five-game losing skid and has not scored since a 2-1 loss to Buffalo on Sept. 1. Sophomore midfielder Allen Tomczykkowski and senior forward Franco Cartiera have each tallied for the Pioneers this season, while freshman Jason Roeder and junior Anthony Lombardo have split time in the goal.
Last Time Out: After an even battle for much of the game, the Philadelphia University men's soccer team scored two second-half goals to earn a 3-1 victory over Stony Brook at Seawolves Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Rams struck first, when junior midfielder Josip Babic's cross found junior defender Lou Sigmund on the left side. Sigmund's shot to the far post gave Philadelphia the 1-0 edge at the 12:06 mark.
Thirteen minutes later, a Rams foul set up a Stony Brook free kick 25 yards out. Sophomore defender Chris Musinski's shot sailed just over the head of Rams goalkeeper Justin Hewins to even the game at 1-1.
Despite outshooting the Rams 21-12 over the course of the game, the Seawolves could not manage to connect and break the tie. Instead, the Rams went ahead for good in the 61st minute, when a header in the box bounced off a Stony Brook defender and into the goal. Philadelphia sealed the victory when senior forward David Ortega collected a rebound and scored in the 82nd minute.
Hewins finished with seven saves for Philadelphia, while Stony Brook's Dan Ferrin had six.
Common Opponent: The only common opponent between Stony Brook and Sacred Heart so far this season is Holy Cross, who defeated both teams. The Crusaders topped the Seawolves 2-1 in overtime in the home opener, and they shut out Sacred Heart 3-0.
Unlucky At New Home: Stony Brook has played its last two home games at Seawolves Stadium, Stony Brook's new 8,136-seat field turf venue. Unfortunately, the new home has not been kind to the Seawolves, who lost to overtime to Adelphi 1-0 and 3-1 to Philadelphia.
On the Road Again: Four of Stony Brook's next five games will be away from home. After that five-game span, the Seawolves return home for three conference matchups.
Newcomers Make Mark: Almost all of the Seawolves' scoring so far this season has come from newcomers to the team. Transfers Anthony Barberio and Chris Musinksi have each scored a goal, and freshman Payton Webb has an assist to his credit.
Redshirt junior Shane Arikian is the only returner who has scored for Stony Brook in 2002.
Looking Ahead: Stony Brook opens conference play this Saturday at Vermont. The Catamounts defeated Stony Brook 1-0 last year in the teams' first meeting.
News and Notes: Junior goalkeeper Dan Ferrin is averaging 7.85 saves per game . . . Philadelphia's win last weekend marks the first time the Rams have beaten Stony Brook in three years . . . two of the Seawolves' seven games have gone to overtime . . . Stony Brook has two remaining non-conference games: Marist on Oct. 2 and Rider on Oct. 8 . . . the Marist game will be played at Seawolves Stadium.
