HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – The Centenary University men's soccer team battled The City College of New York to a 1-1 draw Thursday afternoon in the Cyclones' 2026 home opener at J.E. Reeves Jr. Field.
Centenary (1-0-1) jumped out to an early advantage behind Brandon Morales, who found the back of the net for the second consecutive game to record his second goal of the young season. After goalkeeper Gavin Veres made his first save of the afternoon in the 12th minute, the Cyclones struck at the other end just minutes later. Morales put Centenary in front at the 16:18 mark, with Aedan Dorwart and Shane Gambarony picking up assists on the goal.
The Cyclones carried the 1-0 advantage into halftime as Veres and the Centenary defense kept the Beavers off the scoreboard through the opening 45 minutes. Veres recorded two first-half saves, while Colin Hayes put another Centenary opportunity on frame in the 23rd minute.
Centenary nearly doubled its advantage immediately out of the break. Gambarony fired an attempt off the crossbar less than a minute into the second half before Hayes followed with another scoring opportunity.
CCNY increased its offensive pressure as the second half progressed, but Veres continued to come up with key stops for the Cyclones.The biggest came in the 79th minute when CCNY was awarded a penalty kick. Veres stopped Dennis Lopez's initial penalty attempt, but Lopez converted the ensuing opportunity to even the match at 1-1.
Neither side was able to find the go-ahead goal over the remaining minutes as the Cyclones settled for the draw in their first home contest of the season.
Veres played all 90 minutes in goal and finished with four saves. CCNY held an 11-7 advantage in total shots and a 5-4 edge in shots on goal. The Beavers also finished with six corner kicks compared to one for Centenary. Hayes led the Cyclones with three shots, including two on goal. Morales scored on his lone attempt of the afternoon, while Bryant Morales also put a shot on frame.
Brandon Morales has now scored in each of Centenary's first two games, accounting for both of the Cyclones' goals to begin the 2026 campaign. The draw moves Centenary to 1-0-1 on the season.
