Vasquez and Medina lift Generals to Region III Championship game
(Brian Vasquez gives the Generals a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute Wednesday at Wehrum Stadium).
(Walter Medina makes it a 2-0 advantage in the 87th on an assist from Moulid Somow).
HERKIMER, NY – Netting a goal in each half of Wednesday’s (10/27) Region III Semifinal game at Wehrum Stadium, the #2 Herkimer Generals men’s soccer team defeated #7 SUNY Adirondack 2-0, advancing to the Region III Championship on Saturday (10/31).
Herkimer (12-3, 5-1) came out and played well in the first 15 minutes with opportunities by Brian Vasquez (White Plains, NY) and Connor Doogan (Belfast, Ireland) saved inside the goalie box by Timberwolves goalie Cody Sharkey.
It didn’t detour the Generals attack, managing the first goal of the game in the 39th minute after Kevin Van der Slik (Zoetermeer, Holland) found Vasquez for his sixth goal of the season. It all started with a service by Moulid Somow (Utica, NY) which Van der Slik received at the middle of the field, then passed to the weak side with his left foot to Vasquez who then drilled a shot from the right side of the net, deflecting off Sharkey’s hands and into the top of the net for the 1-0 advantage.
The second a deciding goal didn’t come until the 87th minute after SUNY Adirondack was unable to get a good service on a free kick. The attempt went right to Somow who then chipped a pass over the defense for Walter Medina (Brooklyn, NY) who then used his speed to get the one-on-one with the goalie, drilling the shot in the top of the net for his third goal of the season.
Starting in goal for the first time all season was Ian James (Saint Kitts, Caribbean Sea). The freshman did well, saving four shots en route to his first shutout as a General.
With the win, Herkimer will face #2 Cayuga Community College in the Region III Championship game on Saturday (10/31). The Spartans defeated #6 Onondaga 7-1 on Tuesday to advance. Neither team has yet to face each other this season, but the game will be played at Wehrum Stadium in Herkimer, NY at 12 p.m.
Score:
#2 Herkimer Generals 2, #7 Adirondack Timberwolves 0
Halftime:
Herkimer 1-0
GENERALS (12-3, 5-1) Brian Vasquez 1-0, Walter Medina 1-0, Kevin Van der Slik 0-1, Moulid Somow 0-1. Ian James 4 saves.
TIMBERWOLVES (11-5, 5-1) Cody Sharkey 7 saves.
Next Game: 10/31 vs. #3 Cayuga 12 p.m. (Region III Championship Game at Wehrum Stadium)
-Giorgio Varlaro