Sept. 18, 2005

Box Score

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Tom Smith's goal 46 seconds into the second half was all the offense Columbia needed as the Lions blanked Stony Brook 1-0 in the final game of the 2005 Holiday Inn Express Men's Soccer Invitational on Sunday night at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. The loss snapped the Seawolves five-game unbeaten streak and dropped them to 4-2-1 on the season, while the Lions improved to 3-5-0.

Despite the loss, the Seawolves were named tournament champions due to the tiebreaker format. Michael Palacio was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Rob Fucci and Matt Avellino were also named to the all-tournament team.

After a scoreless first half, Columbia struck early in the second as Drew Ford's cross to the left side found Smith, who fired a shot into the left side of the goal to put the Lions up 1-0 just 46 seconds into the half.

The Seawolves had an outstanding chance with just under 25 minutes remaining in the contest as Palacio's cross found Avellino, who rifled a shot off the left crossbar. With eight minutes to go Palacio fought through a pair of defenders and got off a shot at point blank range, but Columbia goalkeeper Michael Testa came up with the save to preserve the shutout.

EJ Xikis (4-2-1) turned away six shots in the loss, while Testa (3-5-0) needed to make just one save on the evening.

In the first game of the afternoon, Lafayette shutout Fairfield 1-0. The Leopards (4-2-0) got on the board at the 70:59 mark as Chad Barberi sent a cross up the middle of the field and found Ori Kalmus, who headed the ball from 10 yards out for the score. Mike Tortora made two stops to earn the shutout, while Andrew Frankel made four saves in the loss for the Stags (2-2-2).

The Seawolves are back in action on Tuesday when they travel to take on Adelphi at 4:00 p.m.