10/31/11

NEW YORK KNIGHTS SEEK GREATER HEIGHTS

The New York men's basketball team regained its winning form last season by capturing its fourth Hudson Valley Men's Athletic Conference (HVMAC) Championship in six seasons and, in its first season of competition, finishing a respectable fifth place in the United State Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division II National Basketball Tournament.

The team’s nineteen victories in twenty-six games represented an astonishing basketball record under head coach Chris Christiansen, now entering his 15th season at the helm of the Knights. For 2011-2012 his team will look to scale even higher expectations in both defending their HVMAC title and competing once again in the USCAA national basketball championship in March. Coach Christiansen believes that “the greatest results in life are achieved by determination, perseverance, and a perpetual passion to succeed”.

This season looms to be both promising and challenging for Berkeley. The Knights will return nine players from last year’s team, including three of their All-Americans, giving the team much needed experience as it will face its most difficult schedule in team history: twelve NCAA Division III teams are on the slate, including a matchup against last year’s USCAA Division I national champion Southern Virginia University.

Much of Berkeley’s success for the upcoming season will fall upon the shoulders of its returning All-American trio of Jose Stable, Elijah Craig, and Kaseem Williams. A 6-4 guard/forward, Stable (EBC HS for Public Service/Brooklyn, NY) had a spectacular rookie campaign, winning HVMAC Rookie of the Week five times and USCAA Co-Player of the Week honors three times. He also led the team in scoring (19.9 points per game) and rebounding (11.7 rebounds per game) while shooting a blistering 61% from the field, tying him for first in the USCAA Division II national ranking.

Craig (Seward Park/Brooklyn, NY), a 6-8 sophomore, was an imposing and intimidating figure on the inside, finishing second in rebounds (11.0 rebounds per game), first in blocked shots (2.7 blocks per game), and double-doubles with 15.

Rounding out the trio is Williams (Boys & Girls/Brooklyn, NY). A 6-0 junior, Williams led his team in assists (4.0 assists per game) and steals (3.4 steals per game), and while mainly setting up his teammates for scoring chances, he remained a scoring threat with a 11.7 points per game average while shooting at a 49% clip.

Guard Stanley Hamp (Nazareth/Brooklyn, NY), the team’s lone senior, brings veteran gamesmanship and prowess to a squad featuring nine freshmen and sophomores. Among the returning underclassmen, sophomore Jovan Bovell (Jamaica/Jamaica, NY) contributed significantly in his rookie season, finishing second in scoring at 12.6 points per game and received the Most Valuable Player of the 2011 HVMAC championship tournament. Bovell will be counted on further to fill an even stronger leadership role on the floor this season. Sophomore guard Mario Guzman (West Oaks Academy/New York, NY) and junior guard Richard Rampersad (Herbert H. Lehman/Bronx, NY), can be expected to bring depth and sound fundamentals each time they step onto the hardwood.

Three freshmen join the Knights this season, each one bringing a diverse uniqueness that will give the Knights even more weapons at their arsenal. Danzel Whyte (Teachers Preparatory/Brooklyn, NY) is a bruising 6-4 forward whose ability allows him to play physically inside as well as display a soft touch from the outside. Jerrell Hampton (Queens Vocational & Technical/Astoria, NY) is a versatile 6-2 swingman who brings explosive athleticism to court that opponents will find hard to defend. Rounding out the freshmen is Hector Navarro (Wilby/New York, NY), a fiery 5-10 guard from Connecticut who possesses a shooter’s touch and a level of intensity that will surely prove to wreak havoc on opponents. Second-year forward Yang Zhang (Kumming China) and sophomore guard Alexander Loniakan (Frolunda Gym Sweden) further contribute to the overall success through their hard work and intensity.

The Knights open up the 2011-2012 regular season on November 5th at Borough of Manhattan Community College against the New School of Research in the 2nd Annual Berkeley Invitational. Key early season games include Lehman College (October 15th) and tournaments at New England College (November 18-19) and Hamilton College (November 26-27). Following the holiday break, the Knights will be further tested in tournaments at DeSales University (January 3-4) and NHTI (January 7-8) and a rematch against Brooklyn College on February 6. As part of Berkeley’s seven game home slate are HVMAC rivals St. Joseph’s (January 21), Vaughn College (February 11), and Southern Virginia University (February 25).

10/29/11

WOMEN MAKE IT TO FINALS

The New York women's soccer team, in their inaugural season, have fought their way to the Hudson Valley Women's Athletic Conference championship game by defeating Sarah Lawrence College in a shoot out.

The Knights scored first on sophomore forward Ellinor Simonsson's first goal of the season. The Gryphons would tie the match and send it into overtime in the second half. Both teams would fail to score in both overtimes, resulting in a shoot out.

The Knights scored on their first three attempts on shots by Tiffanie Vargas (Environmental Sciences/New York, NY), Taryia Hollins (Mountain View/Triangle, VA), and Karol Scott-Tracy (Kristiansand Katedralskole, Grimle, Norway) while goalkeeper Lauga Oskarsdottir (Wang Toppidrettsgymnas/Reykjavik, Iceland) blanked the Gryphons on their first three attempts to secure the win.

The Knights face Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences on Sunday in Albany for the title.

NJ FINISHES SEASON WITH A WIN

The New Jersey men's soccer team finished out their season by winning four of their final six matches, defeating Yeshiva University 2 to 1 on Friday.

The Knights were led by freshmen Nuno Santos (Kearny/Kearny, NJ) and Santiago Gonzalez (Union City/Union City, NJ) who each scored to secure the win. Freshman keeper Jesus Solis earned his third win of the season.

The win improved the Knights record to 6-12, matching the most wins in a single season for the Knights who were 6-9 last season.

10/27/11

NEW YORK DEFEATS COOPER UNION

The New York men's soccer team finished their regular season strong, defeating Cooper Union by a score of 7-0 to secure the #2 seed in the HVMAC playoffs starting this Saturday.

Freshman forward Andrew Levy led the way with two early goals followed by a quick third goal from fellow freshman forward David Mugenga to give the Knights a commanding 3-0 halftime lead.

Two second half goals by junior forward Philip Kim, a second goal from Mugenga, and a goal by freshman midfielder Dare Aniyikaye closed the scoring. Junior midfielder Claes Magnusson secured four assists and goalkeepers Camilo Montes and Jonathan Graneros shared the shutout.

The win improved the Knights record to 9-8-2 on the season and a second straight one-loss conference regular season record at 6-1. The Knights will now prepare to defend their 2010 HVMAC Championship as they face Culinary Institute of America in the semifinals this Saturday at 4:30 P.M. at Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn.

10/25/11

CELIN FINISHES FIFTH AT HVWAC CHAMPIONSHIPS

Freshman women's cross country runner Sarah Celin finished in fifth place overall at the Hudson Valley Women's Athletic Conference championships on Sunday, the best finish of any runner in Berkeley College history.

Celin finished in 22.43 for a pace of 7.19 per mile.

In addition to Celin, Rebecca Pettersson finished 45th, Winsong Mott finished 56th and Mayra Garcia finished 57th.

On the men's side, freshmen Jossue Figueroa finished in 40th place with a time of 38.43 and Gabriel Joseph finished in 46th place.

NEW JERSEY DEFEATS VALLEY FORGE

The New Jersey men's soccer team is ending their season strong, with wins in three of their last five matches.

The team continued their strong play with a 2-0 win over Valley Forge Christian College on Monday to improve their record to 5-11 on the season. It's the third shutout of the season for the team.

The Knights got on the board early off of a header by junior defender Edu Bennett (Bloomfield HS (CT)/East Orange, NJ) to take the 1-0 lead. Shortly thereafter freshman midfielder Eucario Solano (Absegami HS/Galloway, NJ) gave the Knights a two-goal advantage that would hold for the rest of the game. Freshman keeper Jesus Solis earned the shutout, his second of the season.

The Knights finish the season against Yeshiva University this Saturday at 10 A.M. at Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers, NY.

10/24/11

WOMEN'S SOCCER MAKES HISTORY

The New York women's soccer team made history on Saturday by defeating York College 1-0 for the first intercollegiate women's soccer victory in Berkeley College history.

The women were outnumbered 11 to 9 by late in the second half when Taryia Hollins bent a shot off of a foul to the corner of the net to secure the first win in Knights history.

The win improved the team record to 1-3-1 on the season. The team now competes this Thursday against Sarah Lawrence for a chance to compete in the Hudson Valley Women's Athletic Conference final. The Gryphons defeated the Knights 2-1 in OT just two weeks ago.

NEW YORK TIES ESF

In their first meeting ever, the Berkeley College Knights and SUNY ESF Oaks tied 1-1 after 110 minutes of excellent soccer.

The Knights would take the early lead on a goal by freshman forward David Mugenga on an assist from fellow freshman forward Andrew Levy. The Oaks would respond with an early second half goal to tie the game on a free kick from the left corner.

The Knights would squander multiple opportunities both in regulation and in both overtimes to win the day before settling for a tie with the Oaks. The tie sets the Knights record at 8-8-2 on the season.

They vie for the #2 seed in the Hudson Valley Conference on Wednesday against Cooper Union.

NEW JERSEY LOSES TO YORK

For the second consecutive season, the New Jersey men's soccer team fell to York College in Queens, NY, losing by a score of 3 to 0 to fall to 4-12 on the season.

Unlike last season, the Knights would not fail to hold a lead, but would rather fall behind early and unable to mount a comeback.

The Knights next face Valley Forge Christian College on Monday, October 24.

NEW YORK DEFEATS CULINARY

In a pivotal Hudson Valley Conference matchup, the New York men's soccer team defeated Culinary Institute of America by a score of 3 to 2 to improve to 4-1 in the conference and return to .500 on the season (8-8-1).

The team fell behind early 1-0 before sophomore midfielder Joel Yawili tied the game with an unassisted goal. The Knights would fall behind once again 2-1 before responding with two unanswered goals by freshman midfielder Dare Aniyake and junior midfielder Claes Magnusson to win the game.

The win sets the Knights up for a possible #2 seed in the conference should they defeat Cooper Union on Wednesday, October 26.

NEW JERSEY DEFEATS BRYN ATHYN

The New Jersey men's soccer team defeated Bryn Athyn College 2-0 on Friday.

The team was led by freshman forward Elmer Hernandez (Warren Hills HS/Washington, NJ) who netted both goals for the win. Freshman keeper Jesus Solis (North Bergen HS/North Bergen, NJ) earned the shutout and his first collegiate win.

The victory improved the team's record to 4-11 on the season and the team has won 2 of their last 3 matches. They next face York College on Sunday.

10/17/11

KNIGHTS SWEPT BY ALBANY

The New York men's and women's soccer teams were swept by Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences this past Saturday.

The men's teams began the day with sophomore midfielder Daisei Hiwaki scoring on a direct kick from about 20 yards out to give the Knights the early 1-0 lead in the first half. The Knights would fail to convert on several more chances before the end of the half with the wind at their back that would prove costly later.

The Albany Panthers would quickly erase the deficit in the second half with only four minutes gone past on a shot to the left post. The teams would remain tied through regulation as well as for all but thirty seconds remaining in the first overtime when the Panthers would steal the ball deep in Knights territory and ricochet a shot off the left goal post to win the match 2 to 1. The loss drops the Knights back to .500 on the season at 7-7-1 and marks their first conference loss of the season. The team is now 3-1 in conference play.

The women next entertained the Panthers in the afternoon and had to start facing the heavy winds at Aviator yet managed to get through the first half only down 3-0 with the Panthers scoring two of those goals on corner kicks aided by the wind. The Panthers would score three more times in the second half for the 6-0 win. The loss dropped the Lady Knights to 0-3-1 on the season.

Both teams return to action this Wednesday.

10/14/11

KNIGHTS SQUEAK BY SARAH LAWRENCE

The New York men's soccer team survived a lackluster performance to edge rejuvenated conference opponent Sarah Lawrence College 2-1 in double overtime.

The Knights dominated possession early and sophomore midfielder Daisei Hiwaki struck a loose ball in the Sarah Lawrence penalty box beating the keeper in the inside post to give the Knights a 1-0 lead.

The Knights failed to take advantage to extend the lead in the first half and the Gryphons opened the second half by quickly capitalizing on a defensive error after a wayward clearance by sophomore keeper Camilo Montes in the Berkeley goal, to equalize from 25 yards out. Berkeley responded with a fury, but failed to convert on several opportunities.

Sarah Lawrence was given a golden chance to seal the victory in the 67th minute, but was stopped on a penalty kick by Montes. Berkeley kept failing to convert chances until the second overtime period when sophomore midfielder Joel Yawili managed to find the net for the victory.

The win puts the Knights over the .500 mark for the first time this season at 7-6-1 and maintains their undefeated conference record at 4-0. A mark that will be sorely tested by Albany Pharmacy on Saturday. Albany comes into the match at 6-2-1 and 3-0 in the conference.

10/11/11

CELIN FINISHES SIXTH

Freshman women's cross country runner Sarah Celin finished in sixth place overall at the College of Staten Island Invitational on Sunday. The CSI Invitational was the first meet of the year for the Knights and the highest finish of any runner in Berkeley College's brief history. Celin finished in 23.33.

On the men's side, freshman Jossue Figueroa finished in 57th place with a time of 33.24.

WOMEN LOSE TO SARAH LAWRENCE

The New York women's soccer teams lost a close match to Sarah Lawrence College on Sunday by a score of 2 to 1. The loss drops the Knights to 0-2-1 on the season.

Senior forward Tiffanie Vargas scored the first goal on an assist by sophomore forward Karol Scott-Tracy in the early minutes of the match. Danielle Schnaider would score on a free kick from 25 yards out only to have the goal nullified by offsides. This would prove pivotal later as the Gryphons would steal the ball in the Knights backfield and score to tie the match 1-1.

Sarah Lawrence would win the match with only a minute and fifteen seconds remaining.

The Knights return to action this Saturday against powerhouse Albany College of Pharmacy.

10/10/11

NEW JERSEY LOSES TO CENTENARY

The New Jersey men's soccer team saw their losing streak reach six games losing to Centenary College 7 to 0 Wednesday in Hackettstown, N.J. It was their first game without freshman goalkeeper Thomas Frangieh (Newton HS/Newton, NJ), who broke his leg against Marywood University four days earlier and was having a standout rookie year.

The Cyclones outshot the Knights, 23-10, including an 11-3 edge in shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper Jason Rogers (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills) posted three saves for his program-leading 16th-career shutout.

Leading 2-0 at halftime, Centenary turned on the jets in the second half pushing the lead to 5-0 within the first 20 minutes of the second half.

The Knights return to action against Penn State Brandywine on Friday.

KNIGHTS DEFEAT NHTI

The New York men's soccer team defeated New Hampshire Technical Institute 3 to 1 on Saturday to even their record at 6-6-1 on the season. The Lynx came in to the game as the 13th ranked team in the USCAA.

It was the second time the two programs have met, with the Knights defeating the Lynx in overtime last year in New Hampshire.

Berkeley controlled most of the play, finally breaking through at the 20th minute with a goal by freshman forward David Mugenga on an assist by junior Claes Magnuson. The Knights would strike again on a goal by freshman forward Andrew Levy to make it 2-0 at the half.

The Lynx responded with a goal by Chris Woolsey to keep the visitors in the match. Less than three minutes later, however, the Knights responded with Levy's second goal of the game, nicely tacking the ball under the keeper to secure the Berkeley win.

The Knights now face conference foe St Lawrence on Wednesday, October 12th.

10/4/11

WOMEN LOSE TO BERGEN

The New York women's soccer team lost 9-0 to Bergen Community College yesterday, only the second varsity intercollegiate game in the program's history. After tying Yeshiva University 2-2 earlier in the season, hopes were high as the Knights met the Bulldogs.

However, superior numbers on the Bulldogs part led the way and despite a rebounding second half, the Knights couldn't stop the bleeding.

The Knights continue their inaugural season against the Sarah Lawrence Gryphons on Saturday at 1 P.M. The Gryphons are also in their first season and are a conference opponent.

MEN TIE BROOKLYN

In a tale of two-halves, freshman forward David Mugenga scored in the 2nd minute and again in the 15th minute to give the Knights an early 2-0 lead against Brooklyn College. And until half-time it looked as if it would be enough for Berkeley to reach the .500 mark for the season.

The picture changed suddenly and dramatically with the start of the second half. Brooklyn College came out with more belief and determination and put immediate pressure on the Knights. Sophomore keeper Camilo Montes (Bayside/Bayside, NY) made a good stop from close range in the 50th minute and junior defender Yhonnier Montoya (Lyndhurst/Lyndhurst, NJ) cleared off the line to temporarily keep the Knight's clean sheet.

But the Bridges would keep up the pressure and scored two almost identical goals within 10 minutes - pouncing on close range rebounds - to even the score at the hour-mark.

Berkeley NY reawakened to retake control of the tempo, but could not create enough to capitalize through the overtime. The Knights' record now stands at 5-6-1. They face USCAA #13 ranked foe, NHTI, Saturday 9 am at Randall's Island.

BRIARCLIFFE SWEEPS BERKELEY

Briarcliffe College defeated the New York men's soccer team 3-0 to defeat both Berkeley men's teams this season.

The loss dropped the New York team to 5-6 on the season. Senior goalkeeper Jonathan Graneros suffered the loss, his first start of the 2011 season.

The Knights return to action against Brooklyn College on Monday.