Generals Title Hopes End in National Championship Game
Herkimer NY- The two most storied NJCAA D-III soccer teams in history met Sunday afternoon for the 2021 National Championship. The Herkimer Generals made their way to the championship game through Sussex CC and Bunker Hill CC, while the Dallas-Richmond Thunderducks beat Anne Arundel CC and Camden CC to get to the title game.
The Thunderducks were the first to get on the scoreboard in the 20th minute when All American Lorenzo Boselli headed one through, to put Dallas-Richmond up 1-0. The scored stayed 1-0 the next 25 minutes and into the half. In the 56th minute Boselli once again got free down the middle and hit his second goal of the night. The Thunderducks held on to their 2-0 lead through the rest of second half to secure the National Championship.
Herkimer Goalkeeper Manabu Takahashi (Osaka, Japan) continued his stellar play with two saves in the championship game, taking home the Defensive Player of the Tournament honors. In addition, Sophomore Will Leary (Crowbrough, England) and Freshman Ali Somow (Utica, NY) made all-tournament team for the Generals.
Head Coach Pepe Aragon noted “I’m just so proud of the guys for how they fought hard for 90 minutes, and how they battled the whole tournament. They got better each and every game, and represented the college so well”.
Captain Defensemen Will Leary said “The guys did an amazing job this season, we all stuck together through the good and the bad. The community support was great, so many fans came out to cheer us on; the players and coaches were all very fortunate for the experience”. Leary went on to say "Coach Pepe has created a family atmosphere and the college has been so supportive, I'm proud to be a General".
The Generals end the season 12-2-0 winning the District B, Region 3 Championship and finish 2nd in the country.