December 1, 2000

GOLDEN KNIGHTS JUNIOR TRI-CAPTAIN MATT SECKO NAMED 2ND TEAM ALL-UCAA
For the third consecutive season, junior back Matt Secko (Shoreham, NY), of the Clarkson University Men’s Soccer team, was selected to the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) All-Star team. Secko, a 6-0, 160-pound tri-captain for the Golden Knights, was selected to the UCAA’s Second Team. Secko, who majors in aeronautical engineering, scored one goal this season and started all 16 games for the Golden Knights, who went 4-12 this fall.

Secko, a 1998 graduate of Shoreham Wading River High School, was selected to the UCAA First Team in 1999 and to the UCAA Second Team in his 1998 freshman season. He was also picked for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Regional All-America Third Team last year.

2000 CLARKSON SEASON ReCAP
Though it wasn’t the season that 11th-year head coach Willi Steinrotter had in mind, the Clarkson University Men’s Soccer team showed signs of rebuilding towards an Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) power with several key wins and promising play from many of the team’s young players.

Finishing with a 4-12 overall record and a 2-5 mark in the UCAA, the Golden Knights began the season with high expectations after a 4-0 shutout of Cortland State, their first win over the Red Dragons in seven seasons. The Knights’ tough road schedule proved to be tough for the young team as Clarkson dropped their next five games before a trip home and a 3-0 win over cross-town rival Potsdam State at Clarkson Field. The Knights’ followed up the win over the Bears with a 2-1 overtime victory over UCAA-foe Union, but poor luck haunted the Knights throughout the remainder of the season as Clarkson could win just one more game while losing seven more times, six of which came by a single goal, including a tough 1-0 loss to defending National Champion St. Lawrence.

Sophomore Mike Bud (Canandaigua, NY) led the team in goals and points with six and 15, respectively, while tying for the team lead in assists with three. Classmates Jonathan Banz (Dix Hills, NY) and Collin Fingon (Rutland, VT) each scored three times while Tedd Jagusztyn (Sao Paulo, Brazil) added two more goals. Junior Chon Kim (Utica, NY) was the only other player for the Knights with more than one goal, tallying three scores for Clarkson.

Anchoring the defense was junior co-captain Matt Secko (Shoreham, NY). Secko, a 1999 UCAA First-Team All-Star and NSCAA Third-Team Regional All-America, was a key player in assuring the Knights of many close games.

Junior John Hall (Brooklyn, NY) played admirably in his first year as a starter, making 115 saves with a 1.96 goals against average. Hall also recorded two shutouts on the season.

Also making contributions up front for the Knights were senior tri-captain Andrew Bernhardt (Underhill, VT), junior tri-captain Chris Werely (Hamburg, NY) and classmate Matt Thomas (North Rose, NY), as well as sophomore Brett Dorey (Rochester, NY). Freshmen Josh Edlinger (Margartville, NY), Asun Sathyanathan (West Babylon, NY), and Ken Rushing (Paw Paw, MI) also played well, starting a combined 22 games for the Knights.

Aiding Secko in the backfield were junior Ed Valenta (Whitney Point, NY) and sophomore Matt Dubiel (Sauquoit, NY). Freshman Jason Dunn (Endwell, NY) also played well in nine games for the Golden Knights.

October 28, 2000

KNIGHTS END SEASON WITH 5-1 LOSS TO CARDINALS
Potsdam, NY – Freshman striker Patrick Shea scored the game-tying goal and then assisted on three insurance goals as Plattsburgh defeated the Clarkson University Men’s Soccer team 5-1 in a non-league game Saturday afternoon at Clarkson Field. Chon Kim (Utica, NY) opened the scoring for the Golden Knights early in the first half, but the game was tied at the 30:20 mark. Plattbsurgh tallied four unanswered goals in the second half to gain the win. John Hall (Brooklyn, NY) and Zach Ogden (Duxbury, MA) combined to make seven saves for the Golden Knights, who finished the season at 4-12 overall.

October 24, 2000

OSWEGO STATE HOLDS OFF CLARKSON 3-2
Oswego, NY – Mike Bud (Canandaigua, NY) and Tedd Jagusztyn (Sao Paulo, Brazil) each scored goals for the Clarkson University Men’s Soccer team, but the Golden Knights dropped another close game, falling to Oswego State 3-2 in a non-league game Tuesday afternoon. John Hall (Brooklyn, NY) made eight saves for the Golden Knights, who fell to 4-11-0 overall this season. The Golden Knights’ last seven losses this season have come by just one goal. Clarkson ends the regular season against Plattsburgh State on Saturday, October 28th at Clarkson Field.

October 21, 2000

NAZARETH DOWNS KNIGHTS 1-0

Rochester, NY - Steve Fisher scored at the 9:58 mark of the first half to lead Nazareth to a 1-0 non-league win over the Clarkson University Men's Soccer team Saturday afternoon.

John Hall (Brooklyn, NY) made nine saves for the Golden Knights. Clarkson fell to 4-10 overall and visit Oswego State on Tuesday, October 24th.

October 20, 2000

KNIGHTS FALL to RIT OVERTIME RALLY

Rochester, NY - Chris Mbaakanyi scored his second goal of the game with less than three minutes remaining in the second half as the Rochester Institute of Technology defeated the Clarkson University Men's Soccer team 3-2 in overtime in a non-conference game Friday afternoon at RIT Field.

Jonathan Banz (Dix Hills, NY) scored on a penalty kick in the first half to tie the game 1-1 for the Golden Knights, who fell to 4-9 overall. Mike Bud (Canandaigua, NY) gave Clarkson a quick lead early in the second half, but RIT came back to tie the game just a few minutes later.

John Hall (Brooklyn, CT) made eight saves for Clarkson. The Golden Knights visit Nazareth on Saturday, October 21st.

October 14, 2000

VASSAR SCORES LATE GOAL, DROP KNIGHTS 1-0

Poughkeepsie, NY - Chris Schreiber scored a goal with less than 20 minutes remaining on a pass from Matt Hureau to help Vassar defeat the Clarkson University Men's Soccer team 1-0 in an Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) game Saturday afternoon.

John Hall (Brooklyn, NY) made six saves for the Golden Knights, who fell to 4-8 overall. The Knights finished with a 2-5 record in the UCAA.

October 13, 2000

EDLINGER SCORES GAME-WINNING GOAL, LEADS CU TO 2-1 WIN

Troy, NY - Freshman Josh Edlinger (Margartville, NY) scored his first collegiate goal with just 1:56 remaining in the second half on a pass from sophomore Jonathan Banz (Dix Hills, NY) to lift the Clarkson University Men's Soccer team past arch rival Rensselaer 2-1 in an Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) game Friday afternoon.

Banz scored the Knights first goal early in the second half on a pass from Matt Dubiel (Sauquoit, NY) to tie the game 1-1 after an early goal from the Redhawks. Clarkson improved to 4-7 overall and 2-4 in the UCAA.

John Hall (Brooklyn, NY) made eight saves for the Golden Knights. Clarkson visits Vassar on Saturday, October 14.

October 6, 2000

LATE GOAL LIFTS ST. LAWRENCE to 1-0 WIN OVER CLARKSON
Potsdam, NY - Junior midfielder Carlos Smith ended an 85-minute scoreless tie when he blooped a kick over the head of Clarkson goaltender John Hall (Brooklyn, NY) to help give St. Lawrence University a 1-0 win over the Clarkson University Men’s Soccer team in an Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) game Friday afternoon at Clarkson Field. The win helps the Saints continue their unbeaten steak, which has now reached 53 straight games. St. Lawrence moves to 10-0-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the UCAA, while Clarkson drops to 3-7 overall and 1-4 in the UCAA.

The goal came at the 84:53 mark in the second half on a throw in near the end line. The ball reached Smith inside the goalie box and he chipped it over Hall’s hands, rolling to the other side of the net just inside the goal post. Hall made 11 saves for the Golden Knights. St. Lawrence netminder Brendan Murphy made four saves for his fourth shutout of the season. The Golden Knights will visit UCAA foes Rensselaer and Vassar next weekend.

September 30, 2000

SKIDMORE SURGES PAST CLARKSON IN FINAL MINUTE OF DOUBLE OVERTIME
Potsdam, NY – Senior Bryan Sennott scored with just 52.5 seconds remaining in the second overtime as Skidmore defeated the Clarkson University Men’s Soccer team 1-0 in an Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) game Saturday afternoon at Clarkson Field.

After 119 minutes of scoreless play, Sennott received a cross from outside the goalie box from senior midfielder Randall Steketee and rolled one past Golden Knights’ goalkeeper John Hall (Brooklyn, CT) for the game-winner. Hall made eight saves for the Golden Knights, who fell to 3-6 overall and 1-3 in the UCAA.

Clarkson hosts UCAA-rival St. Lawrence at 4:00 p.m. Friday, October 6 at Clarkson Field.

September 29, 2000

GOLDEN KNIGHTS SURVIVE UNION, WIN 2-1 in OT
Potsdam, NY – Sophomore Collin Fingon (Rutland, VT) scored after a collision in front of the net with five minutes expired from the first overtime period to help lead the Clarkson University Men’s Soccer team to a 2-1 overtime win over Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) foe Union.Friday afternoon at Clarkson Field.

Sophomore Mike Bud (Canandaigua, NY) went after the ball inside the goalie box in attempt to score the winning goal and collided with Union goaltender Matt Lombardo to set up Fingon’s goal.

Union led off the scoring in the first half when Graham Lombardo scored an unassisted goal at the 7:02 mark. Clarkson tied the score 26 minutes later when Bud scored on a cross from Fingon. The play was started near midfield by sophomore Jonathan Banz (Dix Hills, NY), who was also credited with an assist. John Hall (Brooklyn, CT) made seven saves for his third win of the season while Lombardo stopped 14 shots in net for the Dutchmen.

September 26, 2000

KNIGHTS END LOSING SKID, DOWN POTSDAM 3-0
Potsdam, NY – The Clarkson University Men’s Soccer team ended their five-game losing streak with three second half goals to defeat Potsdam 3-0 in a non-league game Tuesday afternoon at Clarkson’s Field. Sophomore Jonathan Banz (Dix Hills, NY) scored the first goal of the game on a scramble in front of the net just five minutes into the second half. Classmate Mike Bud (Canandaigua, NY) assisted on the goal.

Clarkson then scored two more times in the final 13 minutes. Bud scored with 12:21 remaining on a pass from freshman Ken Rushing (Paw Paw, MI). Sophomore Collin Fingon (Rutland, VT) scored eight minutes later on a breakaway with the assist going to Banz.

John Hall (Brooklyn, NY) stopped 10 shots for his second shutout of the season for the Golden Knights. Scott Lambert made 12 saves for Potsdam. Clarkson returns to action against Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) foe Union at 4:00 p.m. Friday, September 29th at Hantz Field.

September 23, 2000

CLARKSON FALLS 3-2 at ELMIRA

Elmira, NY - Sophomores Tedd Jagusztyn (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Mike Bud (Canandaigua, NY) each scored a goal and assisted on another, but the Golden Knights dropped a 3-2 decision to Elmira. John Hall (Brooklyn, NY) made six saves for the Golden Knights, who dropped to 1-5 overall.

September 22, 2000

KNIGHTS SUFFER 2-0 SHUTOUT at ITHACA

September 16, 2000

CLARKSON DROPS 2-1 DECISION TO HOBART

Geneva, NY - The Golden Knights dropped their third straight game, dropping a 2-1 decision to Hobart Saturday afternoon in an Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association(UCAA) game. Junior Chon Y. Kim (Utica, NY) scored his second goal of the season to start off the scoring, but the Statesmen scored a goal just a few minutes later and then added the game-winner midway through the second half to hold off the Knights, who out shot Hobart 19-17 and had twice as many corner opportunities (6-3).

September 15, 2000

CLARKSON FALLS 7-1 at HAMILTON

September 6, 2000

CLARKSON FALLS at LeMOYNE, 3-0

Syracuse, NY - The Golden Knights suffered a 3-0 loss at Division II LeMoyne College on Wednesday afternoon. At 1-1 overall, Clarkson is off until Friday, September 15 when they open the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) campaign at Hamilton College, in a 4:00 p.m. start.

September 2, 2000

CLARKSON ENDS SIX-GAME LOSING STREAK TO CORTLAND WITH 4-0 WIN

Cortland, NY -For the first time since 1994, the Clarkson University Men's Soccer team started the season on the right note, defeating Cortland State 4-0 in a non-league game, the first for both teams this season. The Golden Knights' victory was their first against the Dragons since the 1993 NCAA Tournament.

Sophomore Collin Fingon (Rutland, VT) scored his first collegiate goal at the 12:09 mark of the first half on a long shot that went over the head of Dragons' goaltender Tim Kelch. Junior Chon Kim (Utica, NY) scored 13 minutes later for the Knights', scoring is goal on a crossing pass from sophomore Brett Dorey (Rochester, NY). Matt Secko (Shoreham, NY) added a third first-half goal for Clarkson with less than six minutes remaining when he followed up a rebound after a goalie save.

Senior Kevin Gay (Brooklyn, NY) scored the Knights' final goal of the game with just under 10 minutes remaining. John Hall (Brooklyn, NY) made three saves for his first collegiate shutout.

August 22, 2000

CLARKSON SOCCER OPTIMISTIC for 2000 CAMPAIGN
The loss of seven talented veterans would be a significant blow for any team to absorb, and after losing several key players to graduation, it was expected that the Clarkson University Men's Soccer team would not be able to repeat its NCAA East Regional Championship game appearance of 1998. However, the Golden Knights did play well during the rebuilding year, outplaying most of their opponents, but the ball didn't seem to bounce their way in 1999. The Knights finished the season with a 4-9-2 overall record, including a 2-3-1 mark in the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA).

"Last season was a frustrating year because we played good soccer, but we had trouble finding the back of the net." stated head coach Willi Steinrotter. "Defensively we played well, but did not get a lot of breaks. We were devastated by injuries and never once throughout the season did we have the same starting lineup." Clarkson began the season with home losses to Cortland and LeMoyne, but rebounded with a 2-1 win over Skidmore and an 8-0 drubbing of Rensselaer. Michael Secko, who led the team with 18 points, scored four goals against the Engineers. Secko, who graduated with honors in May, closed out his stellar four-year career with 29 goals and 72 points, ranking him seventh on Clarkson's all-time scoring list. Secko gained numerous honors, including regional All-America and national GTE Academic All-Star accolades. Other highlights of the season came against nationally ranked Ithaca and North Country rival St. Lawrence University. Against the Bombers, Clarkson battled back from a 1-0 halftime deficit as Michael Secko scored with less than 30 minutes to play to preserve the senior class's unbeaten record (3-0-1) against Ithaca. The Knights held the top-ranked Saints scoreless for nearly 112 minutes before finally succumbing to the eventual national champions in the second overtime, falling 1-0. Clarkson also defeated cross-town rival Potsdam 4-0 and Oswego 1-0, along with gaining a 1-1 tie at Hamilton.

While the Golden Knights struggled in 1999, a return to prominence doesn't seem too distant. Tied for second on the team in scoring with seven points as rookies were Tedd Jagusztyn (Barueri, Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Jonathan Banz (Dix Hills, NY). Along with the return of senior Kevin Gay (Brooklyn, NY) and junior Chon Y. Kim (Utica, NY), Clarkson has the potential to put up some impressive offensive numbers this fall. Also contributing solidly throughout the year were juniors Chris Werely (Hamburg, NY) and Matt Thomas (North Rose, NY), whose improved play should help make up for the loss of Michael Secko and Andres Garcia. Sophomores Matt Fox (Edwards, NY) and Colin Fingon (Rutland, VT) should also see time up front.

While Clarkson lost backs, UCAA All-Star Ross Morrow and Randy Phillips as well as UCAA First-team goalkeeper Brad Sayer to graduation, the defense also looks solid this fall with junior, regional All-America and UCAA First-Team All-Star Matt Secko (Shoreham, NY) anchoring the backline. Senior Andy Bernhardt (Underhill, VT), juniors Ed Valenta (Whitney point, NY) and Chris Muehl (Perry, NY) and sophomores Brett Dorey (Rochester, NY), Matt Dubiel (Sauquoit, NY), and Mike Bud (Canandaigua, NY) will also contribute to the defensive effort. Junior John Hall (Brooklyn, CT) and sophomore Zach Ogden (Duxbury, MA) will be called upon to fill the hole in net left by the graduation of Sayer.

"We lost some quality players to graduation," remarked Steinrotter. "We do, however, have a solid group of incoming players, who should blend in with our veterans." Josh Edlinger (Margartville, NY), Asun Sathyanathan (West Babylon, NY), Ken Hoffman (Carthage, NY), Jon Goodwin (Shelbourne, VT), Tim Magee (Fairport, NY), Ken Rushing (Paw Paw, MI), Kyle Bernhardt (Underhill, VT) and Brian Kimble (Rochester, NY) should help bolster the offense during their rookie campaign. Defensively, freshmen Jason Dunn (Endwell, NY) and Brad McQueary (New Hartford, NY) should also play significant roles.

The Golden Knights open their 16-game schedule on Saturday, September 2 at Cortland State with a 2:00 p.m. game.

February 1, 2000

SECKO BROTHERS GAIN ALL-AMERICA RECOGNITION
Shoreham, NY natives, brothers Michael and Matt Secko were both named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Regional All-America team after playing vital roles this season for the Clarkson University men’s soccer team this fall. Michael Secko gained recognition as a second-team regional All-America and Matt was named third-team regional All-America.

A 5-7, 140-pound, senior midfielder tri-captain for the Golden Knights, Michael scored 18 points this season, including eight goals and two assists. His 29 career goals and 72 career points each rank him seventh on Clarkson’s all-time scoring list.

A 1996 graduate of Shoreham Wading River High School, Michael is majoring in biology/pre-med. He was named ECAC Player of the Week for the week of September 13-19, having scored five goals in two games, including a four-goal effort against Rensselaer which was one goal short of tying a school record for goals in a game. This past season, Michael was named an Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) First-Team All-Star. Last year, he also gained first-team honors on the All-New
York State Division III Regional Team as well. Michael also collected GTE Academic All-America District I first-team honors as well as second-team honors on the GTE Academic All-America National Team.

A 1998 graduate of Shoreham Wading River High School, Matt, a 6-0, 160-pound sophomore, is majoring in aeronautical engineering. He started all 15 games at fullback this season and scored the first goal of his Clarkson career against Potsdam State on September 28. Besides being named to the UCAA First-Team this year, Matt gained recognition as a second-team UCAA All-Star as a freshman.

December 14, 1999

CLARKSON SOCCER PLAYERS EARN UCAA ALL-STAR HONORS
Four members of Clarkson University men’s soccer team recently earned Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) All-Star accolades. Brad Sayer, and Michael and Matt Secko gained first-team UCAA honors, while Ross Morrow was named an Honorable Mention All-Star.

A Monroe, NY native, Sayer was named the UCAA co-Goaltender of the Year and was selected to the UCAA first-team for his performance in net for the Clarkson University men’s soccer team this fall. The 6-0 senior, made 100 saves against 125 shot this season for a .800 save percentage. Sayer recorded four wins for the Golden Knights in 1999, three of them shutouts, which gives him a two-year total of eight as a starter for Clarkson. Sayer shared the UCAA Goaltender of the Year award with Hobart’s Cory Rosier, but was selected over Rosier for UCAA First-Team honors, the first Clarkson goalie to be so honored in four years.

Shoreham, NY natives, brothers Michael and Matt Secko were both named to the UCAA All-Conference First-Team this week after playing vital roles this fall. The two brothers became the first siblings to gain UCAA First-Team honors in the same season in Clarkson men’s soccer history.

A 5-7, 140-pound, senior midfielder, tri-captain for the Golden Knights, Michael scored 18 points this season, including eight goals and two assists. His 29 career goals and 72 career points each rank him seventh on Clarkson’s all-time scoring list. This was the third consecutive season that Michael was named to the UCAA First-Team. A 1996 graduate of Shoreham Wading River High School, Michael is majoring in biology/pre-med. He was named ECAC Player of the Week for the week of September 13-19, having scored five goals in two games, including a four-goal effort against Rensselaer which was one goal short of tying a school record for goals in a game. Last year, he gained first-team honors on the All-New York State Division III Regional Team as well. Michael also collected GTE Academic All-America District I first-team honors as well as second-team honors on the GTE Academic All-America National Team in last season.

A 1998 graduate of Shoreham Wading River High School, Matt, a 6-0, 160-pound sophomore, is majoring in aeronautical engineering. He started all 15 games at fullback this season and scored the first goal of his Clarkson career against Potsdam State on September 28. Besides being named to the UCAA First-Team this year, Matt gained recognition as a second-team UCAA All-Star as a freshman.

North Attleboro, MA native Ross Morrow was recognized as a UCAA Honorable Mention all-star for his excellent play this fall. Morrow, a 6-3 senior fullback, was one of only four players to start all 15 games this season for the Golden Knights. A tri-captain, Morrow attempted 13 shots this season and assisted on one goal for Clarkson’s offense in addition to his fine play on defense. Morrow was also selected UCAA Honorable Mention last season for Clarkson when the Knights went 12-5-2 and made it all the way to the Northeast Regional Championship game in the NCAA tournament.

1999 SEASON ReCAP
After losing several key players to graduation, it was expected that the Clarkson University Men’s Soccer team would not be able to repeat their NCAA East Regional Championship game appearance of a year ago. However, the Golden Knights did play well during the rebuilding year, outplaying most of their opponents, but the ball didn’t seem to bounce their way. The Golden Knights finished the season with a 4-9-2 overall record, including a 2-3-1 mark in the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA).

Clarkson began the season with home losses to Cortland and LeMoyne, but rebounded with a 2-1 win over Skidmore on September 17 and an 8-0 drubbing of Rensselaer on September 18. Senior midfielder Michael Secko (Shoreham, NY), who lead the team with 18 points, scored four goals against the Engineers and was awarded with the UCAA Player of the Week honor for his performance against both Rensselaer and Skidmore.

Other highlights of the season came against nationally ranked Ithaca and North Country rival St. Lawrence University. Against the Bombers, on September 18, Clarkson battled back from a 1-0 halftime deficit as Michael Secko scored with less than 30 minutes to play to preserve the senior class's unbeaten record (3-0-1) against Ithaca. On October 1. The Golden Knights held the top-ranked Saints scoreless for nearly 112 minutes before finally succumbing to SLU in the second overtime, falling 1-0.

While the Golden Knights struggled this year, a return to prominence doesn’t seem too distant. Tied for second on the team in scoring with seven points each were freshmen Tedd Jagusztyn (Barueri, Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Jonathan Banz (Dix Hills, NY). Also contributing solidly throughout the year were sophomore Chris Werely (Hamburg, NY) and Matt Thomas (North Rose, NY). While coach Willi Steinrotter will lose backs Ross Morrow (North Attleboro, MA) and Randy Phillips (Niskayuna, NY) as well as goalkeeper Brad Sayer (Monroe, NY) to graduation this spring, the defense also looks solid for next year with the return of sophomore Matt Secko (Shoreham, NY) and freshman Brett Dorey (Rochester, NY).