BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The St. Joseph's University, New York (Brooklyn) men's soccer team closed out their home campaign on Wednesday afternoon with a 4-1 triumph over Yeshiva University at Aviator Field.
The Bears got off to a dream start thanks to a goal by Matthew Cottone (Oakdale, N.Y.) goal 26 seconds into the match. The Maccabees tied the match in the 31st minute but a goal by Pablo Mejia (Elmhurst, N.Y.), thanks to a Cottone assist, in the 40th minute gave the Bears a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Cottone scored his second goal of the match in the 57th minute thanks to an assist from Alexander Kudrick (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) giving the Bears a two goal lead early in the second half before he completed his hat trick in the 68th minute before subbing off shortly thereafter. The Bears defense held strong the rest of the way to see out the three-goal triumph.
Cottone's hat trick marked the first of his career and his first goals since the 2024 regular-season finale at St. Joseph's (Long Island). It is the first hat trick since Victor Naci '25 scored four against Mount Saint Vincent in the first round of the Skyline Conference Tournament last season. Mejia tallied his first goal of the season. Defensively, Edwin Sacramento (Brooklyn, N.Y.) saved 10 of the 11 shots he faced. Matthew Galetta (Bohemia, N.Y.) recorded three saves in 20 minutes of play.
The victory is also the first for head coach Nol Serqa, who assumed the position in July.
The Bears finish their season with a pair of road contests, beginning this Saturday, October 25 at SUNY Maritime College. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 pm.
