CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Charles River Cup will head back to Emerson College for the second consecutive season as the Lions defeated Lesley University 1-0 in the 10th annual meeting between the two schools.
Emerson received a second half goal from sophomore Tyler Yassky (Nyack, N.Y.) in the 70th minute for his first tally of the season and the only goal of the match. The Lions improve to 2-2-0 overall while the loss sets the Lynx back to 1-4-0 on the season.
Yassky took advantage of a miscue in Lesley's backline and raced to a free ball and sent a shot into the left side of an open net to give the visitors the lead.
The Lynx nearly took a 1-0 advantage in the opening minute of the second half when freshman Angel Ruiz (Phoenix, Ariz. ) hit a strike from 22=yards out, but his attempt sailed just over the crossbar. Lesley had another near-goal in the 58th minute when senior Harrison Sidell (Newhall, Calif.) ripped a curling shot from the top-right corner of the box, but Lions goalie Lucas Fischer (Atlanta, Ga.) made a leaping save to keep the hosts off the board.
Both teams had chances in the tenth minute of play. Emerson senior Samir Beria (Sterling, Va.) raced behind the Lesley backline and ripped a shot from the top of the box that sailed over the crossbar. Lesley countered off the ensuing goal kick as senior Wilton Zuo (Dorchester, Mass.) carried down the left side of the Lions 18-yard box and release a shot that curled just over the bar.
Later in the half, Emerson almost converted on a free kick opportunity when senior Duncan Bochicchio (Los Angeles, Calif.) charged and put his head on a ball that clanged off the crossbar to keep the game scoreless.
Lesley held a narrow 8-7 edge in total shots and a slim 3-2 advantage in corner kick opportunities. The match was a physical one as the two sides combined for 42 fouls and seven caution cards.
The Lynx will be back on their home field on Saturday when they open up New England Collegiate Conference action against Daniel Webster College at 7:00p. The Lions will also be back on the pitch on Saturday when they travel to MIT for a 6:00p start.
Charles River Cup History
2007: Emerson – 2-0
2008: Emerson – 1-0
2009: Lesley – 4-2
2010: Lesley – 2-1
2011: Lesley – 2-1
2012: Lesley – 2-1
2013: Emerson – 3-1
2014: Lesley – 1-1 (2-1 PK)
2015: Emerson – 2-1