For the first time since 2003, the CUNYAC Community College Men's Soccer Championship Game was decided by penalty kicks, as No. 2 BMCC outlasted No. 1 Queensborough in a thrilling finish to secure the 2022 championship trophy at the Queens College Varsity Soccer Field.
 
Battling through wet and soggy conditions throughout the second half and both overtime periods, the Panthers survived to claim their first conference championship since 2019 and the 13th title in program history. The contest was just the third time in CUNYAC history that the league champion was determined by a shootout.
 
Monday's contest was a rivalry renewed for the two programs, marking the 11th time in conference history that the two teams matched up for conference bragging rights.
 
BMCC scored the game's first goal in the 15th minute, when El Hadji Ady Gaye found the back of the net off a rebound following a corner kick from Bodrul Alam. The goal stood as the lone score between the two programs in the opening frame.
 
As the rain picked up in the second half, so did the offense between the top two squads. Midfielder John Pavana, the 2021 CUNYAC Community College Men's Soccer Championship Most Valuable Player, scored the equalizing goal for Queensborough in the 60th minute. The sophomore serviced a ball into the box, bouncing over the outstretched arms of the BMCC goalkeeper and into the net.
 
The Tigers, who reached the conference finals for a ninth consecutive year after securing a second straight regular season title, took the lead in the 68th minute. Pavana crossed the ball into the box from the left side that ricocheted off the BMCC keeper's arm to the foot of freshman Anthony Gallardo, who finished with a right-footed blast to give Queensborough its first lead of the evening.
 
BMCC answered back less than one minute later. On a free kick opportunity, Alam sent the ball into a scramble in the box, where Ady Gaye was able to knock in the shot to tie the game once again.
 
Both squads had opportunities in the final 20 minutes, but were unable to convert, sending the game to overtime. In the first overtime period, BMCC nearly scored the golden goal on a header, but a huge stop from Queensborough freshman Erick Molina Bonilla preserved the 2-2 stalemate. The Panthers continued to pelt the Tigers with shots in the second overtime session, but were unable to end the match, forcing the decisive shootout.
 
BMCC converted on its first two penalty kick attempts, while stopping the first two of Queensborough to open up a 2-0 advantage. The Panthers went on to score on all four of their tries, including the game-clinching tally from Ady Gaye to secure the victory for BMCC. For his efforts throughout the match, he was named the championship's Most Valuable Player.

Courtesy of CUNYAC Athletics


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