Garden City, N.Y. - For the second straight year, the Adelphi University men's soccer team will have an opportunity to win a Northeast-10 Conference Championship this Sunday after defeating Franklin Pierce 2-0 in the semifinal round this evening on Motamed Field.

Similar to Tuesday's quarterfinal victory, the Panthers (16-1-1) got on the board early with a goal in the second minute. Putting early pressure forward, Federico De Oliveira was able to find John Stojcveski with a middle to left pass about 35 yards out. With one touch, the senior back struck with a left foot that sailed into the back of the net to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.

The margin held at halftime as Adelphi controlled a 17-2 shot advantage as well as a 7-1 corner kick differential. Jadel Poon-Lewis kept the Ravens (12-5) within striking distance with six saves in the opening half.

Looking to increase the margin in the opening minutes of the second half, James Thristino found space on the right flank during the 48th minute. With a forward speed, the sophomore made an attempt inside the corner of the 18-yard box that found a hole passed Poon-Lewis and into the net for the 2-0 lead.

Adelphi finished the game with a 27-9 shot advantage as Franklin Pierce created more opportunities in the second half with seven shots and three corner kicks. Poon-Lewis added four more saves for a total of 10 in the effort. Meanwhile, Spenser Powell picked up his ninth shutout with the help of two stops.

With the victory, the Brown and Gold advance to the NE-10 Championship Final for the second straight year. This year, the Panthers host Le Moyne for a 1:00 pm start on Sunday.

Notes:
- On Thursday, eight players were named NE-10 All-Conference honorees including De Oliveira being named Player of the Year and Alejandro Penzini earning Defensive Player of the Year while Head Coach Carlo Acquista earned Coach of the Year.
- The Panthers look for a berth into a second straight NCAA Tournament with Monday's Selection Show looming.

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About Adelphi Athletics:
Adelphi University joined the Northeast-10 Conference in the fall of 2009 and in the past seven seasons, has collected 20 regular season conference titles, 23 tournament championships, 29 individual crowns and captured the Northeast-10 Presidents' Cup three times (2013, 2014, and 2016), while winning five NCAA Division II National Championships.

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