By Alex Moeller '09

Scott Cady scored less than three minutes into the game for the University of Rochester, and the Yellowjackets rode the early momentum to a 3-0 victory over Keuka College in the first round of the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer National Championship tournament.

The win puts Rochester into round two against Hobart College. The Statesmen defeated SUNY Fredonia, also by a 3-0 count, in the second game of the twinbill. Rochester and Hobart wil play at 6 pm Saturday.

On a cold and rainy evening, the 'Jackets controlled both sides of the ball, taking 18 shots and limiting the Storm to just one.

With 2:16 elapsed in the first half, Patrick Ripp sent a free kick from the left wing to the back post of the Keuka goal. The ball found its way to Cady, who headed home his third goal of the year to give Rochester the early lead. Yellowjackets head coach Chris Apple said the early goal solidified his team's confidence.

“One of our concerns going in was that the longer the game stayed 0-0, the more confidence and momentum Keuka would get,” Apple said.

Later in the half, Hans Julianus came off the bench for the Yellowjackets and doubled the lead with his first collegiate goal. A free kick into the Keuka box created a scramble in front of the goalmouth, and when Julianus found an opening he punched the ball past Keuka goalkeeper Mike Meskill from close range.

The game turned more physical in the second half, as each team posted double-digit fouls. In addition, the Storm racked up two yellow cards and a red card. The Yellowjackets saw a yellow card come their way as well.

The second Keuka yellow card led to UR's third and final goal of the game. With 17 minutes remaining, Phil Proud tapped the free kick to a nearby Matt Sulkin, who laced a shot from 18 yards out into the top left corner of the goal. The goal was Sulkin's third of the season.

Keuka head coach Matt Tantalo said that set pieces, which played a role in all three UR goals, were something that had concerned him coming into the game.

“We knew they [UR] would be dangerous on set pieces,” he said, “and they certainly earned our respect tonight.”

Goalie Michael Peacock made one save in 86:20 for the Yellowjackets. He was replaced by Paco Corbalan, who did not face any shots in the last 3:40.

Rochester is 14-2-2. Keuka finishes the season at 10-7-1.