CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. – A Thomas More penalty kick goal in the second minute of the match proved to be the game-winner as the Washington & Jefferson men's soccer team was eliminated from the Presidents' Athletic Conference Championship Tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 1, by a final score of 2-0.
 
The Presidents conclude the 2017 season with an overall record of 11-7, the most wins in a season since the 2010 team finished 12-4-3.
 
After a strong first possession of the match by the Presidents yielded no score, the Saints came back with offensive pressure of their own and were able to draw a foul inside the penalty box. Thomas More capitalized on the penalty kick opportunity to take a 1-0 lead in the second minute.
 
W&J's best scoring chance in the second half came in the 79th minute when Sam Caurdy (Brighton, Mich./Brighton) sent a corner kick into the middle of the box and was headed on goal by Christian Payne (South Park, Pa./South Park) but right to the Thomas More keeper.
 
The Saints extended their lead to 2-0 in the 81st minute when a cross from the left side went to the back post and was volleyed in.
 
Payne and Paul Mokrzan (Hilliard, Ohio/Watterson) led the Presidents' offense with two shots and one on goal apiece. Matt Prezioso (Clairton, Pa./Thomas Jefferson), Sam Dudley (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) and Gavin Pritchard (New Brighton, Pa./New Brighton) each had one shot attempt in the match.
 
Keeper Nick Stasko (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland) made six saves on the day, tying his career high.