Spartans Await NCAA National Tournament Pairings on November 5

(November 3, 2007) - Castleton, VT-The top-seeded Castleton State College men’s soccer team won a thrilling North Atlantic Conference Championship match over third-seeded Husson College 2-1 at Alumni Field. Husson’s season ends at 10-10-1 overall.

Both teams were electric from the start, battling on both ends for an advantage. The Spartans would break through first as freshman, Chris Mulholland set up Matt Buhrke for his first goal of the season just under three minutes into play. Mulholland attacked the right flank, then dropped a pass back and to the middle of the field to a waiting Buhrke. The junior midfielder set the ball and struck a perfectly placed ball to the top right corner, just out of the reach of Husson keeper, Miguel Dominguez.

Husson would not go quietly however as they continued to apply pressure to Castleton’s defensive unit. Castleton keeper, Mike Anthony made two saves in the first half before the Spartans would break through on Dominguez and the Eagle defense once again. In the 21st minute Castleton was on the attack, after a scramble in front of the net freshman Josh Costa unleashed a rocket that rocked the crossbar and ricocheted out to Mulholland. Mulholland played a header back to the middle, and NAC Player of the Year, Ryan Hahn headed the game winner into the net.

The Eagles continued to attack and finally broke through in the 38th minute of play. Nattapong Kongsuriya hit a laser that was saved by Anthony, but not controlled. Jeffrey Truchon would gather in the rebound and send it in to cut the lead in half.

The second half would be played with the same intensity, but neither team could break through. Dominguez ended his afternoon with three saves, while the combination of Justin Gauvin and Tim Mousette turned away several other attempts in the back.

Anthony stopped five shots in the win as Castleton awaits the announcement of the NCAA Division III National Tournament pairings at 13-7-1. The tournament selections will be announced via webcast on NCAASports.com, Monday, November 5 at 11:00 am. [Box Score]

2007 NAC Men’s Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team

Becker College:

• Dircilino DeBrito (Junior forward, Bedford, MA)
• Jared Silva (Junior back, Freetown, MA)

U. Maine-Farmington:

• Andy Knox (Senior midfielder, Waterloo, ME)
• Brian Lemont (Junior goalkeeper, Brunswick, ME)

Husson College:

• Natapong Konguriva (Junior midfielder, Bangkok, Thailand)
• Tim Mousette (Junior back, Keene, NH)
• Jeffrey Truchon (Junior back, Greene, ME)

Castleton State College:

• Mike Anthony (Junior goalkeeper, Dartmouth, MA)
  
• Nick Bellizzi (Sophomore back, Montgomery, NJ)
  
• Matt Buhrke (Junior midfielder, Ravena, NY)
  
• Chris Mulholland (Freshman midfielder, Ridgefield park, NJ)

Tournament MVP:

• Ryan Hahn (Junior forward, Benson, VT)

Complete Bracket

[Archive] [Men's Soccer Home]

###Spartans###