IMMACULATA, Pa. – Giuseppe Pierleonardi's goal with 17 seconds to play proved to be the difference maker as the No. 5 Centenary University men's soccer team defeated No. 4 Immaculata University, 2-1 in the first round of the Atlantic East Tournament on Saturday.

"I am really proud of the resiliency to the team showed today," said head coach Josh Spivack. "Everyone on this team believed in the task at hand and finished the job."

The first 45 minutes of the contest saw both teams go back-and-forth as the two sides battled to find their footing. Centenary fired off a pair of early shots that were saved by the Immaculata keeper. Brandon Parra had a pair of saves for the Cyclones in the first half.

The Cyclones finally broke free and got on the board at the 51:11 mark. Julian Lippner connected for his second goal of the season to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

Immaculata found the equalizer at 63:38 as Josh Fonder scored off a pass from EJ Martin.

The two teams continued to battle as Centenary fought to apply the pressure. Kevin Lopez had a shot at 89:14 that was saved by Immaculata's John Wilhelm.

That set the stage for Pierleonardi's goal at the 89:43 mark that secured the 2-1 win.

Parra made three saves to secure the win in goal for the Cyclones. Wilhelm finished with four saves for the Mighty Macs.

The Cyclones advance to Tuesday's Atlantic East semifinal at No. 1 Marymount. The Cyclones defeated the Saints 1-0 when the two squads met in Hackettstown in early October.