Salem University Tigers Claim 1st USCAA Soccer National Championship
In the opening half, Salem got on the board first as Caleb Christener took a feed from CJ Branch at 3:27 to put the Tigers up 1-0. UMFK put two on the board in a 21-minute span as Rohane Brown took a crossing pass from Michael German to level the match at 17:19. Brown reversed his role and fed Deandre Smith for a go-ahead goal at 38:36 to put the Bengal Tigers up 2-1.
The second half saw UMFK push the lead to 3-1 as Javel Clarke found the back of the net at 53:34.
Salem put three on the board in a span of 24 minutes and two were from Christener. Branch found him at 55:58 to cut the deficit to 3-2. He then scored an unassisted goal at 63:33 to even the championship match at 3-3.
Hijaz was fouled inside the penalty box at 79:39 and converted his penalty kick for the come-from-behind win.
Salem outshot UMFK 19-13 in the match as each team had five corner kick chances.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Bryant & Stratton Rochester: Yassine Kone, Michael Ingallinera
Bryant & Stratton Syracuse: Alvaro Carrera Aguire
UMFK: Javal Clarke, Christopher McKenzie, Michael German
Salem: CJ Branch, Giancarlo Pardo, Jason Barrientos, Ahmad Hijaz
MVP: Caleb Christner, Salem University
