BROOKLYN, N.Y. — St. Joseph's University, New York (Brooklyn) played to a 2-2 tie against borough rivals Brooklyn College on Wednesday afternoon, opening its 2026 men's soccer season and second year under head coach Nol Serqa.
Inside the first three minutes of play, Matthew Cottone (Oakdale, N.Y.) beat the Bulldog keeper courtesy of a feed from Joaquin Franco (Brooklyn, N.Y.), giving the Bears the early momentum. The rest of the half turned into a defensive duel, with both teams managing just two shots each as the Bears took a 1-0 lead into intermission.
After the hosts equalized in the 66th minute, rookie Jared Nereo Flores (Brooklyn, N.Y.) put the Bears back in front in the 75th. Brooklyn College countered almost immediately, striking two minutes later to make it 2-2. Both defenses held firm through the final 13 minutes to seal the draw.
Cottone led the squad with a pair of shots. Edwin Sacramento (Brooklyn, N.Y.) made a pair of saves between the sticks. Flores was one of four players to suit up for St. Joseph's for the first time in the stalemate.
The Bears play the second of three CUNYAC opponents to start the season on Saturday, September 5 at 12 pm; hosting the City College of New York in their home opener on Randall's Island.
