By Steven M. Glassman

Director of Sports Information

November 1, 2024

HARRISBURG, PA—United Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division II Central Pennsylvania College (12-3-0 overall, 8-0-0 Eastern States Athletic Conference) freshman midfielders Grant Bernstien and Donnie Powell scored second half goals and the Knight defense held the seventh-ranked USCAA Division I Manor College (9-8-1, 4-3-1) to four shots on goal as they shut out the Blue Jays, 2-0, in the ESAC Championship at the Skyline Sports Complex on City Island.

Manor is the first ESAC school to participate in all three Championship Matches. 

The match was scoreless at halftime.  It was the seventh time overall (fifth on the road) that the Blue Jays were tied at halftime.  It was also the fourth time overall (all on the road) that Manor was in a scoreless halftime tie.  The Knights outshot the Blue Jays in the first half, six (three on goal) to two (none on goal).

Central Pennsylvania scored when freshman forward Mark Njoroge's shot on goal around the 18-yard line was blocked and Bernstein knocked the rebound into the right side of the net for his eight goal of the season (56:10). The Knight finished the scoring when sophomore goalkeeper Jose Hurtado's punt, following a Manor shot on goal, went to Powell around the 18.  Powell's shot went into the right side of the net for his 13th goal of the season (77:35). Hurtado contributed his first assist of the season.  Manor outshot Central Pennsylvania in the second half, eight (four on goal) to six (four on goal).  The Crusaders outshot the Blue Jays for the match, 12 (seven on goal) to eight (four on goal).

This is the fourth time overall (third on the road) Manor has been shut out this season. The Blue Jays were previously shut out in the postseason versus Salem University in the USCAA Division I Men's Soccer Small College National Tournament Pool Play on November 12, 2022.

Manor versus the Association (Since 2021): Manor is 7-5-1 overall (4-3-0 on the road) this season versus the USCAA.  They are 25-17-2 overall (13-7-1 on the road) since the 2021 season.

Blue Jays versus the ESAC (Since 2021): The Blue Jays are 15-11-2 overall (8-6-1 on the road) versus the ESAC since 2021.

Manor on the Road (Since 2021): Manor is 5-4-1 on the road this season. The five road wins are the most since they joined the USCAA, surpassing four from the 2023 season.  The five road wins are the most since they won 10 in 2012 when they were NJCAA Region XIX Division III members.  The 2012 season was the last they finished with a better than 0.500 road win-loss record. They are 13-13-2 on the road since 2021.   

Series Record (Since 2021): The Blue Jays are 3-5-0 overall (2-3-0 on the road) versus the Knights.

Manor as a Nationally-Ranked Team (Since 2021): Manor is 7-7-1 overall (3-4-1 on the road) as a nationally-ranked team this season.  They are 10-10-1 overall (6-7-1 on the road) since 2021.

Blue Jays versus Nationally-Ranked Teams (Since 2021): They are 4-4-1 overall (2-3-1 on the road) versus nationally-ranked teams this season. They are 5-6-1 overall (3-5-1 on the road) since 2021.

Manor Tied at Halftime (Since 2021): Manor is 1-5-1 overall (1-3-1 on the road) this season they are tied at halftime.  They are 3-11-2 overall (1-6-1 on the road) since 2021.

The Blue Jays in the ESAC Championship: The Blue Jays are 1-2-0 overall (all on the road) in the ESAC Championship.

Manor in Conference Championship Matches (Since 1995): Manor is 11-3-0 overall in Conference Championship Matches since 1995.  They were also 6-2-0 overall in the Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference Championships between 1995 and 2007 when they were Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference members.

The Blue Jays in the Postseason (Since 2005):  The Blue Jays are 1-4-0 overall (1-2-0 on the road) in the postseason since making their USCAA debut in 2021.  They were 1-4-0 overall (0-2-0 on the road) in the NJCAA Region XIX Division III (2011-2013) and Division I (2018) Postseason Tournaments.  The Blue Jays were 5-1-0 overall (1-0-0 on the road) in the EPCC Postseason between 2005 and 2007.

Next Match: Manor awaits the USCAA Division I Men's Soccer Small College National Championship Bid Announcement 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 6.  The Tournament will be at the Allegheny Health Network Montour Junction in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from Friday, November 15 to Sunday, November 17 (Pool Play) and Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh on Monday, November 18 (Finals).  The Blue Jays previously appeared in the USCAA Division I Men's Soccer Small College National Tournament in 2022 in Virginia Beach, Virginia as the third seed.

Manor Athletics on Social Media:

Instagram: manor_athletics.

Twitter: @manorbluejays.

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