Centenary University Athletics Hall of Fame
The 1995 Men’s Soccer Team had the best season in the history of Centenary soccer. The squad won the National Small College Athletic Association Championship that year, defeating Michigan Christian College 3-1 in Rochester Hills, Mich.
Centenary’s Javier Velasco was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player while Jean LaForest, Osei Sarabo and Sam Mensah all found the back of the net for the Cyclones. Goalkeeper Jim Vacca recorded seven saves to preserve the victory.
Mensah gave Centenary a 1-0 lead at the 5:30 mark but MCC tied the game five minutes later. The score remained 1-1 until the 88th minute, when Velasco sent in a corner kick that the Michigan Christian goalkeeper saved, but LaForest was able to knock in the rebound for the 2-1 lead. Centenary maintained that edge until, with 33 seconds remaining in the contest, Sarabo converted a Mensah shot to account for the final goal of the game.
The 1995 team finished the season with a record of 17-3-1. The 17 victories remains the highest single-season wins total in program history. The team was led by head coach Tony Faticoni and assistant coaches Charlie Naimo and Rob Warren. The student-athletes on the squad were: Edmond Lubin, Dave Lakomy, Fernando Miranda, Michael Kelly, Colin Kellogg, Jean LaForest, Luckner Dor, Chris Polito, Oswald Kotei, Javier Velasco, Ivan Henderson, Sam Mensah, Zack Ressaissi, Osei Sarabo, Derrick Trim, Manny Galan and Jim Vacca.
