Box Score

MASPETH, N.Y. (Oct. 15, 2018) - It was a 29th-minute goal from freshman forward Luis Flores that propelled No. 2 seed Queensborough Community College to a 1-0 upset of top-seeded and No. 8 Borough of Manhattan Community College in the 2018 CUNYAC/USS Community College Men's Soccer Championship at the Metropolitan Oval Monday in Maspeth.

The win for Queensborough (7-4) ends a two-year title run for BMCC (7-4). It is also the Tigers' first CUNYAC title since 2015.

"It feels great (to come away with the trophy)," said Queensborough second-year head coach Aziwoh Ayafor. "The guys have been working hard all season. Every loss, we have taken a point from it. Based on the outcome today, I guess it paid off. It feels good to get it back this year."

Flores, who entered the contest leadiing all freshmen in the league with six goals, got his seventh at no better time.

With 16:12 to go before the half, Flores received a stunning through pass from sophomore midfielder Robinson Munoz and finished a shot inside the right post for what turned out to be the game's only goal. As a result, Flores was named the championship's Most Valuable Player.

"It is great to win a championship," Flores stated. "It wasn't just me that made the difference. It was the team. We hope to accomplish the same next year and take the championship."

Despite being outshot by a slight 6-5 margin in the first 45 minutes of play, Queensborough eventually brought a 1-0 lead into the break.

Then, in the second half, BMCC dominated the shot count (16-5), but Queensborough was equal to the task. Freshman goalkeeper Brayan Manzano turned aside all four shots he faced in the period to preserve the shutout. It was the fourth clean sheet of the year for Manzano.

"It's not just tonight, it's been pretty much all season," Ayafor said about Manzano's play. "He is the only keeper we have. He has come through for us all season. He doesn't miss practice for no reason, and every time he comes to practice, we go hard."

For the match, BMCC owned a 22-10 advantage in shots and a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.

Between the pipes, Manzano made four saves on the night for the Tigers, while Panthers' freshman netminder Bryan Toledo had five stops.
 

Queensborough and BMCC now await their seeding in the upcoming NJCAA Region XV Championship. For more information, please visit Region15Athletics.com.