The Herkimer men's soccer team defeated North Country CC 4-1 to capture the Region III Championship at Tompkins Cortland CC.
The Generals went down 1-0 forty seconds into the game on a penalty kick. Saints Ernest Afful convert the kick. Herkimer had several chances to tie the game in the first half including a penalty kick of their own that was saved by North Country keeper Zack Peck who had ten saves on the day. Senior midfielder Steven Medwinter tied the game in the 60th minute receiving the pass from Senior Kariym Balthazar. Medwinter beat two defender on the right side of the penalty area and finished side netting. Medwinter took a through pass from Balthazar and scored from a tough angle in the 60th minute to make it 2-1. Freshman Mike Roopchandsingh scored the third goal of the game of an assist from Balthazar in the 68th minute. Roopchansingh received the ball just outside the six yard box and finished side netting. Balthazar finished off the scoring from an assist from senior Joey Lontrato in the 79th minute. Balthazar hit a rocket into the upper right 90 from 22 yards out. Senior goalkeeper James Taber made 7 saves in the game. "I am very proud of our guys." Said Coach Pepe Aragon. "We played great in both games this weekend." "We were down 1-0 for 60 minutes in the championship game and kept our composure." The Generals advance to the NJCAA National Final Four this weekend hosted by Herkimer County Community College.
Region III All Tournament Team
Kariym Balthazar
Joey Lontrato
Rob Dickinson
Most Valuable Player of the tournament
Steven Medwinter
