Men’s Soccer wins 27th consecutive Region III Championship
(Brian Vasquez gives Herkimer a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute on an assist from Kevin Van der Slik).
(Ian James had two saves in 14 minutes on Saturday at Wehrum Stadium).
HERKIMER, NY – Scoring goals in each half of the Region III District ‘B” Championship on Saturday (10/31), the #2 Herkimer Generals men’s soccer team defeated #3 Cayuga 2-0 in regulation, capturing their 27th consecutive regional championship in the process.
Netting the first goal in the 28th minute was Brian Vasquez (White Plains, NY). It was the sophomore’s second consecutive game with a goal, both gave the Generals a 1-0 lead, defeating their last two home opponents 2-0. Assisting on the goal was Kevin Van der Slik (Zoetermeer, Holland). It was his third assist of the season, two of which have gone to Vasquez in 15 games played.
It didn’t become a two goal advantage until the 40th when Walter Medina (Brooklyn, NY) scored his fourth goal of the season on an assist from Eddie Speed (Chester, Liverpool). Speed took advantage of a poorly cleared ball by the Spartans, retrieving it just outside the 18, on the right side of the net. Speed then serviced the ball to the weak side where Medina put it away with his right foot. It was the freshman’s second consecutive game with a goal, both of which gave the Generals a 2-0 lead.
In goal for the team was Ian James (Saint Kitts, Caribbean Sea) and Chris Cornwill (Sunshine Coast, Australia). James played 17 minutes after an injury sidelined him from competition, accumulating two saves. As for Cornwill, the freshman played his first game at goalie this season and saved four shots in 76 minutes.
With the win, Herkimer advances to the NJCAA DIII National Championship which will be hosted by Herkimer College from November 12th to November 15th. Under Head Coach Pepe Aragon, the men’s soccer team has never finished lower than fourth place, totaling seven national championships during his tenure.
Score:
#2 Herkimer Generals 2, #3 Cayuga Spartans 0
Halftime:
Herkimer 1-0
GENERALS (13-3, 5-1) Brian Vasquez 1-0, Walter Medina 1-0, Kevins Van der Slik 0-1, Eddie Speed 0-1. Ian James 2 saves, Chris Cornwill 4 saves
SPARTANS (11-5, 5-1) Thalu Masindi 6 saves
All-Tournament MVP
Brian Vasquez (Herkimer)
Williams Stone (Genesee)
All-Tournament Team
Cayuga
Chris Davison
Thalu Masindi
Herkimer
Moulid Somow
Coonor Doogan
Eddie Speed
Genesee
Ricard Fernandez-Sarro
Rafael Godoi
Sam King
Niagara
Maurice Channer
Ryan Holovics