Poultney, VT- The Men's Soccer team defeated the Green Mountain Eagles, 2-1, this afternoon on a wet field to claim the NIAC Championship. The two teams met earlier this season and had to settle for a 0-0 draw after 110 minutes, but it was the Falcons who came out on top today getting goals from Senior David Serrano (Val Verde, CA) and Freshman Leonardo Mildor (Pompano Beach, FL).
The Falcons got on the board first when they were awarded a penalty kick off a foul in the box in the 24th minute. Serrano was able to blast it by Eagles keeper Sawyer Levy to put the visitors up 1-0. Green Mountain responded eight minutes later when an errant pass from a Falcons defender was intercepted by Naing Aung and was able to fire home a strike to knot the game at one goal a piece. Each team had numerous offensive opportunities in the half but both Levy and Falcons keeper Eliseu DePina (Dorchester, MA) were able to keep the two teams tied 1-1 at the half.
Fisher scored what proved to be the game winner at the 72:53 minute mark when Rolando Pinero (Cape Coral, FL) was able to slip a pass through the defense to his teammate Mildor who lifted it up and over the hands of Levy in the net to put his team up 2-1. The Falcons held on through the 90th minute to claim the NIAC Championship. The Falcons offense came to play this afternoon as they outshot the Eagles on the day, 19-15 and had nine corner kicks to the Eagles one. Junior Kervens Surpris (Pompano Beach, FL) led the Falcons in shots on goal with three, while DePina earned the win denying six Eagles shots.
Mildor was awarded the NIAC Championship MVP Award for his play on the afternoon, while GMC's keeper Levy was recognized for his effort in net with the Defensive MVP Award.