A dynasty is brewing in Brooklyn Heights.
 
For the third time in four seasons, the St. Francis Terriers men's soccer squad have earned the prestigious title of Northeast Conference Champions, subsequently earning another bid into this coming week's NCAA College Cup.
 
In doing so, the Terriers, who won in both the semifinal and final of the NEC tournament by scores of 1-0 each, displayed the same resiliency and defensive mastery in which they have all year long, which in turn has led them to not allow any goals in NEC play.
 
"This is what we've been working for the whole year, this feels amazing," a cheery Sal Barone said, who also earned NEC Men's Soccer Playoff MVP honors. "It's amazing but my goal is the second round (of the NCAA Tournament). I want to keep going, we're not done yet."
 
To win their 2016 crown, the Terriers had to defeat the Saint Francis Red Flash in a rematch of the 2014 championship, which ended with the Terriers celebrating on the Red Flash soil with a second straight conference championship.
 
The Red Flash applied major offensive pressure early on, placing several shots near the Terrier goal, getting through a seemingly impenetrable backline of defense. The Terriers returned to form defensively in the second half, and in turn were able to create some pivotal opportunities over the halftime break.
 
Although each team earned their fair share of chances over the final 45 minutes, the match went into two overtimes in a 0-0 deadlock. As each combatant continued knocking on the door of putting the game away, the action continued to intensify with several slide tackles breaking up plays, and other offensive chances progressing to no avail.
 
A golden opportunity presented itself for the Terriers as they moved up the sideline with just over three minutes left in the second overtime. Senior forward Yussuf Olajide, who leads the Terriers in goals scored with six, had multiple defenders beat before breaking toward the middle of the opposing net where Red Flash goalie Marcus Rojas, who had three saves in the afternoon, was in waiting.
 
As Olajide made his move to cut between two defenders, he was fouled from behind by Pedro Neto who, along with Jonathan Otting, was lagging behind the Terrier senior. This wasn't a typical foul as Olajide was taken down in the box, giving the Terriers a penalty kick with 3:37 remaining.
 
Head coach Tom Giovatto summoned junior forward Lukas Hauer for a chance at the ultimate glory, Giovatto says he's 'never seen Lukas miss a penalty kick,' and this time would be no different as Hauer powered in the championship shot to the lower left side of the goal. Hauer's boot ultimately placed SFC into the record books with their seventh NEC title, and their third span of three championships in four seasons, which the Terriers also achieved between 1995-1999.
 
"It was my first goal this season, I waited for a good moment right?," Hauer asked with a smile. "It's unbelievable, but we've practiced penalties for two weeks and I was confident to take it."
 
"I got very emotional after Lukas scored, that just goes to show how much this meant for us," added teammate and All-NEC First Team defender Dominick Falanga. "We're a very emotional team in a sense where we're able to control it. It's more about wanting to win and winning the right way. We're a team that every game means a lot to us."
 
Before leaving the game with an injury after 102:07 minutes of shutout goalkeeping, Roberto Bazzichetto, who aided in the continuation of the Terriers' shutout streak which dates back to September 28, recorded two saves, both of which came at very critical moments of today's action.
 
"Even though the team has a really good defense, I have to make sure I'm focused for 90 minutes and even extra times," Bazzichetto said after the game. "It can happen any second where the other team could penetrate the defense very easily, things can change. But I congratulate all of our team, especially our defensive players."
 
This marks the first time since 1998 that the Terriers have won the NEC post-season title after winning the NEC regular season championship, adding to the list of accomplishments the Terriers have strung together under the guidance of 10^th year head coach Tom Giovatto.
 
"This team is pretty familiar to the team that won the title in 2014," Giovatto said of his current 2016 crop of NEC champs. "We've had about 10 guys graduate from last year's team – it's just about hard work and staying together; this is a really tight group."
 
Up next, the Terriers will play in the NCAA College Cup against a team to be announced on Monday, November 14. The Terriers will resume action on Thursday in an attempt at doing something they haven't done in nearly 40 years, win an NCAA tournament game.
 
"Perfect season, I can't write it off any better than that," a relieved Falanga said.
 
NEC Men's Soccer All-Tournament Team
 
Salvatore Barone – SFBK (MVP)
 
Lukas Hauer – SFBK
 
Yussuf Olajide – SFBK
 
Fabian Suele – SFBK
 
Francis de Vries – SFU
 
Jack Webber – SFU
 
Brendan McGhee – SFU
 
Simen Hestnes – LIU
 
Erik Wahlin – LIU
 
Chris Carneiro – SHU
 
Callum Smith –  SHU

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