Men's Soccer Wins Region III Championship
NJCAA Men's Soccer Division III District A Championship Game hosted by Tompkins Cortland Community College.
1pm game 1st seeded Herkimer Generals vs. 5th seeded Erie CC Kats
Sunday afternoon October, 30th 2016 the first seeded Herkimer Generals Men’s Soccer team defeated the fifth seeded Erie Community College Kats 6-0 for the NJCAA Region III District A Championship. Herkimer now returns home with their sights set on the ultimate goal, earning the National Championship trophy November 10th, 11th, and 13th on their home turf, Wehrum Stadium.
Sunday Herkimer was hungry for victory. Six goals scored in a Regional Championship is an impressive feat for any team. The first goal scored halfway through the first half by #23 Gianni Cognata (Cape Coral, FL) assisted by #17 Ferguson Ward (London, England). That would be it for both sides in the first half.
Herkimer came back from halftime determined and ready for more as the remaining five goals were scored within just a twenty minute span of the second half. #13 Camilo Avendano (Cape Coral, FL) scored the second off of a free kick. The third by #10 Dajhal Kelly assisted by #8 Jordan Saling (Haledon, NJ). Saling then earned Herkimer’s fourth goal from a penalty kick in the 65th minute. Two minutes later #24 Luke Murphy (Glasgow, Scotland) was awarded a penalty kick which he finished for the Generals’ fifth goal. The final goal of the game came from #3 Chris Cornwill (Sunshine Coast, Queensland) from an assist by Cognata.
Herkimer Head Coach Pepe Aragon said after the game, “The guys played a great game. We really came out strong in the second half against a very good erie team… [I’m] so happy and proud of the guys and the coaching staff.”
Herkimer’s performance didn’t go unnoticed as captain #27 Maans Sorenson, #17 Ferguson Ward, and #24 Luke Murphy were all given a spot on the All-Tournament team, as well as #10 Dajhal Kelly awarded the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Box Score:
Final:
Herkimer 6, Erie 0.
Half:
Herkimer 1, Erie 0.
GENERALS (18-0): Gianni Cognata 1-1, Camilo Avendano 1-0, Dajhal Kelly 1-0, Jordan Saling 1-1, Luke Murphy 1-0, Chris Cornwill 1-0
KATS (13-6)
Goalies:
Sean Connolly (HERK): 0 saves, 0 goals
Noah Smith (ECC): 5 saves, 6 goals
Shots:
Herkimer: 26
Erie: 3
Tournament MVP:
Dajhal Kelly, Herkimer College
All-Tournament Team:
Ferguson Ward, Herkimer College
Luke Murphy, Herkimer College
Maans Sorenson, Herkimer College
Colin O'Keefe, Erie Community College
Brandon Horton, Erie Community College