LA PLUME, Pa. – The Centenary University men's soccer team opened the 2026 season on a winning note Tuesday evening, defeating Keystone College, 1-0, at the Keystone Turf Field and Track Complex.
The Cyclones (1-0) broke a scoreless tie late in the second half as Brandon Morales found the back of the net in the 77th minute. Tony Garcia picked up the assist on the game-winning goal.
Both teams battled through a scoreless opening 45 minutes. Keystone generated four shots in the first half, but the Centenary defense prevented the Giants from putting any of those attempts on goal. The Cyclones created three corner-kick opportunities in the period, while Elliot Tillinghast recorded Centenary's lone shot on goal of the half in the 45th minute.
Centenary came out with increased pressure in the second half. Luka Polizos put an attempt on frame less than three minutes into the period, forcing a save from Keystone goalkeeper James Kallens.
The Cyclones eventually broke through at the 76:13 mark. After Morales had an attempt go wide less than a minute earlier, the senior capitalized on Centenary's next opportunity, scoring his first goal of the season off a feed from Garcia to give the Cyclones a 1-0 advantage.
Centenary's defense took care of the rest.
Goalkeeper Gavin Veres earned the shutout in his first appearance of the season, playing all 90 minutes in net. The Cyclones' back line held Keystone without a shot on goal for the entire match despite the Giants finishing with five total attempts.
Keystone held a narrow 5-4 advantage in total shots, while Centenary put three of its four attempts on goal. The Cyclones also held a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Morales led the Centenary attack with two shots and the game-winning goal, while Polizos and Tillinghast each recorded a shot on goal.
The victory moves Centenary to 1-0 on the young season.
