Men's Soccer

BENNINGTON, Vt.- The Southern Vermont men's soccer team had the lead late into the 63^rd minute of Saturday's New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) game against Becker College but gave up two goals that blew out their hopes for a victory in the 3-2 loss on Everett Field.

With the NECC playoffs approaching the Mountaineers, 2-10-1 overall (1-3 NECC), came out ready to play getting up on the board first when sophomore midfielder Kevin Wood (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls HS) connected with sophomore midfielder Tony Martinez (Hoosick Falls, N.Y./Hoosick Falls HS) on a well executed cross pass in the 16^th minute.

The Hawks, 6-5-1 overall (2-1 NECC), retaliated moments later in the 22^nd minute when junior midfielder Jeffrey Hurd launched a cross pass that senior forward Dircilino DeBrito sent past a diving SVC sophomore goalkeeper Aaron Eschler (Gloversville, N.Y./Broadalbin-Perth HS) to make it a 1-1 game.

A great defensive stance by both teams led to a 1-1 game at the half. In the 49^th minute Martinez got an assist when he laid out a perfect pass to freshman midfielder Joe Lombardi (Mashpee, MA/Mashpee HS) who finished it off with a strike past the gloves of junior goalkeeper Aaron Fill. The goal was Lombardi's first of the season and gave Southern Vermont the 2-1 lead.

Victory seemed to be within sight for the Mountaineers when in the 65^th minute of play Becker senior defender Scott Medeiros found the back of the net on a deflection off a Southern Vermont defender on the preceding corner kick. The goal tied the game once again and with 25 minutes of regulation left it was 2-2.

In the 85^th minute DeBrito scored his second goal of the game in what would be the game winner for the Hawks when he sprinted past the Mountaineers and kicked it past the gloves of Eschler to seal the 3-2 victory. Eschler faced 23 shots and had seven saves in the loss.  

Before the game the SVC community paid tribute to the team's two seniors: captain Ben Bollinger (Laurens, NY/Laurens HS) and Chris Colehamer (Sandgate, VT/Arlington HS). This was the final home game for the two young men whose participation is one of the largest factors in the team's success this year.

"The contributions made by Ben and Chris are invaluable," said Head Coach Tim Penrod. "Without them sticking with this program through the tough years it is likely that there wouldn't be men's soccer at SVC. Any person who plays here in the future has them to thank."

Southern Vermont is back in action on the road against NECC foe Mitchell College 7-7 overall (4-0 NECC) on Saturday, October 18. Kickoff is at 3:00p.m.