AMHERST, N.Y. — Sophomore Xavi Senlik (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) scored two goals to lead the New York Institute of Technology men's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over Daemen College here today in East Coast Conference action.

NYIT, which is ranked ninth in this week's United Soccer Coaches Division II East Region poll, improved to 6-2-1 overall and 2-0-1 in the ECC. Daemen, which was looking for its first-ever victory over NYIT, suffered its first conference loss of the year and dropped to 4-5-0 overall and 2-1-0 in the league.

Senlik opened the scoring just 12:11 into the contest. Graduate student Bernd Schluter (Everswinkel, Germany) created the scoring chance when he sent a lead pass to freshman John Gamble (South Ozone Park, N.Y.)  from midfield. Gamble fended off a Daemen defender and sent a centering pass from the right flank to senior Dan Lembo (Hicksville, N.Y.). Lembo one-timed a pass to Senlik on the left flank, and Senlik sent a low shot just inside the near post from 10 yards out.

Schluter doubled NYIT's lead in the 28th minute during a scramble in front of the Daemen net following a corner kick by Gamble. Daemen net minder Philipp Schmidt (Lahr, Germany) made a great save following an initial shot by Senlik, but Schluter collected the rebound and tapped home his league-leading ninth goal of the year.

Daemen got back into the game just six minutes later.  Freshman Pontus Lundin (Asmundtorp, Sweden) intercepted a clearing attempt by NYIT and after some nifty footwork sent a pass to sophomore Anthony Cupello (Rochester, N.Y.) in front of the NYIT net. Cupello slid a pass to senior Zackery Elliott (Bolton, Ontario) on the right flank, and Elliott one-timed a shot home from 10 yards out for his first career goal.

The Bears regained a two-goal advantage just two minutes into the second half when Senlik headed home a perfect cross by Gamble from the right flank.

NYIT finished with a 16-9 advantage in total shots and the visitors also posted a 3-2 edge in corner kicks.

Schmidt went the distance in net for the Wildcats and made two saves. Junior Andrew Pereira (Mineola, N.Y.) stopped three shots for the Bears, who are now 7-0-0 all time against the Wildcats.

Daemen returns to action Wednesday (Oct. 3) when it travels to Mercy College for an ECC game.

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