Sep. 10, 2000

BURLINGTON, VT. - Backed by a first half goal by freshman John Antonucci (Gloversville, N.Y.), Vermont held off a late Siena rally to defeat the Saints, 1-0, and capture their third straight Smith Barney Soccer Classic title on Sunday.

The Catamounts earned the outright crown on the basis of a better goal differential than New Hampshire, who in defeating Bucknell 2-1 earlier in the day, also won both of their tournament matches.

Vermont began to carry the play after a few early chances by the Saints. Off a free kick in the 35th minute, UVM's David Said (Stone Mountain, GA) lobbed a ball into the penalty area to Kevin Smyth (Toronto, ONT). Smyth one-timed a cross to Antonucci who banged in the games lone tally.

After early second-half pressure by the Catamounts (3-1-0), Siena had several late opportunites to force overtime including a point blank blast by Paul Ciovacco (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) that went high off the crossbar.

"It was a hard fought win over a very physical and aggressive team who's play disrupted our uptempo style," commented Vermont coach Roy Patton who saw his team win their third straight game of 2000. "Our lads showed a lot of character in gutting out a win in the second straight day. I can't say enough of our two freshman in the lineup who really stepped up their game."

Vermont's Chris Shaver (Moon Township, PA) made six saves in becoming just the second goalkeeper to post two shutouts on the weekend in the 10-year history of the classic. Jonathan Hicks (Merrick, N.Y.) made two saves for Siena who falls to 1-3-0 with the loss.

The Saints were represented by senior defender Todd Cafarelli (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and a senior tri-captain David Martella (Northport, N.Y.) on the 2000 Smith Barney Soccer Classic All-Tournament team. The Green and Gold will next be in action Wednesday, September 13 at Central Connecticut in New Britain, Conn. Game time is set for 4 p.m.