New Haven, Conn. – It was another productive year on the pitch for the Albertus Magnus College men's soccer team in 2016, as the team finished the year with a 9-8-1 overall record and earned the No. 5 seed in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament thanks to posting a 4-4-1 mark in league play.
The Falcons saw their season come to an end with a 2-0 setback on the road against No. 4 seed Suffolk in the opening round of the GNAC Tournament. It was the team's 21st appearance in the postseason event with Albertus Magnus holding a 16-18-4 overall record and a pair of conference titles (1996 & 2012).
Following the campaign, AMC saw an impressive six players named to the All-GNAC teams. The Falcons landed one player on the first team, two on the second team and three on the third team. Senior back Alexis Garcia-Romero (West Haven, Conn.) represented Albertus Magnus on the first team, seniors Alex Zapata (Hamden, Conn.) and Matt Mueller (Cheshire, Conn.) received second-team distinction and senior Ben Colter (Guilford, Conn.) landed on the third team along with juniors Justyn Broderick (Orange, Conn.) and Ritchy Jean Pierre (Fairfield, Conn.). Representing the squad on the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team in 2016 was senior midfielder Milton Calderon (New Haven, Conn.).
It was a record-breaking season for the team as both Zapata and Garcia-Romero etched their names in the program record book. Zapata ranks fifth all-time in program history in points, sixth in goals and eighth in assists, while Garcia-Romero ends his career 11th in program history with 64 points. Both players earned All-GNAC honors four times throughout their careers.
Albertus Magnus went 2-1 in non-conference play to being the season, winning back-to-back games after dropping the season opener versus soon-to-be conference foe Regis. In their next two games, the Falcons topped Brooklyn, 3-0, and Westfield State, 3-2. Broderick delivered the game-winning strike against the Bulldogs and freshman midfielder Brayan Lucero (East Haven, Conn.) netted two markers and added an assist in the triumph versus the Owls. Following that performance in early September, Lucero was tabbed as the GNAC Rookie of the Week.
After a 1-0 defeat at home versus Suffolk to open its conference slate, Albertus Magnus reeled off a season-best six-game unbeaten streak. During the stretch, the Falcons went 5-0-1 with four one-goal victories and a pair of shutouts. Thanks to posting two clean sheets, sophomore goalkeeper Joe Russo (North Haven, Conn.) was named the GNAC Goalkeeper of the Week for the first time in his career.
Broderick had four goals during the unbeaten streak, highlighted by scoring a pair in a 3-0 shutout versus conference rival Emmanuel on October 1. The season of streaks continued for the Falcons as the team lost three in a row after the triumph against the Saints.
The team got back on the winning track with back-to-back road conference wins versus Johnson & Wales and Anna Maria. Russo recorded his fourth shutout of the season and his second in conference play against the Wildcats, while three different Falcons netted unassisted tallies in a victory over the AMCATS.
The triumph against Anna Maria on October 18 was the final "W" of the season for Albertus Magnus. The team sputtered down the stretch, falling at home to Norwich in league play before suffering a 5-1 loss at MCLA. It marked the second straight year that the Trailblazers handed the Falcons a loss in the final game of the regular season.
Albertus Magnus saw its season come to an end in a 2-0 loss at Suffolk in GNAC Tournament Quarterfinal action at James A Satori Stadium inside East Boston Memorial Park. The Falcons (9-8-1) were blanked by the Rams (9-9) for the second time this autumn and suffered their second straight road loss. Suffolk sophomore midfielder Jordan Casey scored both of the Ram goals, netting one in each half, to help the hosts advance to the conference semifinals for just the third time in program history and first since 2010. In net, Russo turned aside nine shots in a losing effort for Albertus Magnus.
Broderick and Mueller both enjoyed breakout seasons for the Falcons. Both players set new career-highs in goals and points this autumn. Broderick led the squad in points with 17 thanks to six goals and five assists. His five helpers are tied for tops on the squad with Lucero. Mueller potted a team-best seven goals, including a pair of game-winners. Other factors up front for Albertus Magnus were Zapata Jean Pierre and Lucero.
It was another successful campaign for Zapata as he picked up 12 points thanks to netting five goals to go along with two assists. Both of his helpers came in a shutout win against Emmanuel. Zapata has made a mark with the team. During his stellar career, he amassed 75 points thanks to 28 goals and 19 assists. This fall, Lucero was twice been named the GNAC Rookie of the Week and Jean Pierre set new career-bests in goals, assists and points.
Defensively, Garcia-Romero, Colter, classmate Earl McCoy (Hamden, Conn.) and freshman Anjel Dominguez (Wallingford, Conn.) anchored the backline for Albertus Magnus this season. As a unit, the Falcons allowed just over one goal per contest and registered four clean sheets. Garcia-Romero made the transition to the back from his forward position this year and has been instrumental in the team's success.
In net, Russo played solid all autumn. In his first full season as a starter, Russo has posted a 1.28 goals-against average with 83 saves, a .790 save percentage, four shutouts and a 9-8-1 record. Two of his four clean sheets have come in conference play in 2016. He has once been tabbed as the GNAC Goalkeeper of the Week and was named to the weekly honor roll once as well.
For the latest information on the men's soccer team and Albertus Magnus athletics, follow AMCAthletics on Twitter and visit AlbertusFalcons.com.
