FIFTY YEARS AGO…
SUNY Sullivan Booters Third in Tourney
by John Conway
September 2021
CORNING—It was 50 years ago this month—on September 24 and 25 of 1971, that the SUNY Sullivan Generals soccer team traveled to upstate Corning, NY to compete in the Corning Invitational Soccer Tournament.
The Generals ended up taking home third place in the event, after dropping their opening game to the host Corning Community College by a 1-0 score. Corning’s Mohammad Kasamall drove home a penalty kick at the eight-minute mark of the second period for the only score in the game.
The loss placed Sullivan in the consolation game the following day against Tompkins-Cortland Community College, which had lost its opener against Alfred Tech. The Generals scored a pair of third period goals and played outstanding defense throughout the contest to record a 2-1 come-from-behind win and take home the third place trophy.
Sullivan goalie Herb Barcoa, who had recorded 29 saves in the opening day loss, stopped ten shots from Tompkins-Cortland, which had taken a 1-0 lead in the second period. Sullivan responded in the following stanza with scores from center halfback Kevin Larrick and lineman Jack McShane.
Larrick was named to the tournament’s all-star team, as was Sullivan’s fullback, Fred Davis.
Alfred Tech downed Corning in the title game by a 4-1 tally.
The Generals suffered through a rough 1971 season, finishing last in the Mid-Hudson Conference, which was won by Westchester County Community College with a perfect 5-0 mark while Orange, Ulster, and Rockland County Community Colleges all tied for second place with identical 3-2 records. Dutchess County edged out Sullivan for fifth.
Only one General gained all-star recognition at the season’s end, as Jack McShane was accorded honorable mention.