Photo Credit: Shane Bufano
FINAL SCORE: Stony Brook 2, Vermont 1 | Box Score

STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Stony Brook University defeated the University of Vermont men’s soccer team 2-1 on Wednesday evening to increase its lead in the America East standings over the Catamounts.

Heading into the game the Seawolves sat in fourth place with six points, while the Catamounts were one point behind them in fifth place.

However, goals by Damion Brown and Leonardo Fernandes moved Stony Brook to 4-9-2 overall and 3-2-0 (nine points) in America East action, while UVM drops to 1-8-5 on the season and 1-2-2 (five points) in America East.

UVM head coach Jesse Cormier said the loss now has Vermont fighting for its life when it comes to the America East standings.

“Not enough of our guys competed the way we needed them to in order to win the game tonight,” Cormier said. “Too many of our guys didn’t have enough in them for a fight and to come out on top. Now, we’re fighting for our lives in the conference basically.”

Brown, one of only five seniors on the roster for the Seawolves, put them ahead 1-0 just 12 minutes into the game when he corralled a Kyle Schlesinger free kick in the middle of the 18-yard box and beat UVM senior goalie Tom Critz (Enfield, Conn.) for his second goal on the season.

Fernandes, a freshman then put Stony Brook ahead 2-0 with the eventual game-winning goal in the 50th minute. Fernandes scored his fifth goal of the season when he was able to flick the ball over Crtiz’s head.

The Catamounts were able to cut the lead to 2-1 with three minutes remaining when Yannick Lewis (Toronto, Ontario) got his first goal of the season. After freshman Sean Sweeney (Cromwell, Conn.) put in a long throw to Lewis, he was able to beat Stony Brook’s Anthony Rogic.

Vermont returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Binghamton at 1 p.m. at Centennial Field. Vermont will honor is five seniors before the game.

GAME NOTES: UVM falls to 5-4-1 all-time against Stony Brook since the two teams started playing in 2001. Stony Brook is now on a three-game winning streak, all of which have been one-goal victories over Binghamton, Albany and UVM. The Catamounts are now 0-4-2 in road games this year, while Stony Brook moves to 3-3-0 at home.