The Finger Lakes Community College men’s soccer team clinched their first-ever NJCAA Division III National Tournament berth with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over #3 Herkimer in the Region III, District B Championship. In a match filled with pivotal moments, the Lakers showcased resilience to overcome the top-seeded Generals, ending their 19-year reign of consecutive Region III Championship victories, marking a milestone achievement for the Lakers.
The Lakers wasted no time establishing their lead. At the 18′ mark, Ben Domann (Wuppertal, Germany/Gesamtschule Barmen) opened the scoring with a decisive goal off an assist from Robin Giesing (Essen, Germany/Gymnasium-Essen-Werden), who would go on to play a vital role throughout the match. Soon after, Daniel Ojedayo (Ibadan, Nigeria/Opicc) extended the lead to 2-0 at the 30′ mark, again assisted by Giesing, giving Finger Lakes early momentum.
Herkimer managed to respond with a goal at the 34′ mark, bringing the score to 2-1 just before halftime. But the Lakers held strong, with goalkeeper Aiden Nelson (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) and the defensive line making crucial stops.
In the second half, Carlos Aguiar (Sergipe, Brazile/Colegio Amadeus) fired a goal at the 70′ mark, assisted by Giesing, marking his third assist and earning him a well-deserved hat trick in assists. Herkimer answered back quickly, narrowing the lead again, but Joao Antonio Rocha (Sergipe, Brazil/Colegio Master) secured the Lakers’ fourth goal unassisted at the 78′ mark, stretching the score to 4-2. Despite a final push by Herkimer, which brought the score to 4-3 at the 83′ mark, the Lakers’ defense held firm, and freshman goalkeeper Aiden Nelson closed the match with key saves, along with defenders Owen Schuessler (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua Academy) and Allan Matheus (Sergipe, Brazil/Americano Batista), solidifying the victory.
Robin Giesing, Ben Domann, Joao Antonio Rocha, and Allan Matheus all earned 1st-Team All-Region honors, while Ben Berger (Weil am Rhein, Germany/Kaufmannische Schule Lorrach) and Carlos Aguiar were named 3rd Team. Aguiar and Rocha would be named to the All-Tournament team, with Giesing earning District B, All-Tournament Most Valuable Player.
With their first-ever Region III Championship title, the Lakers move on to the national stage with a record of 15-3-3, two wins against top-10 ranked teams, ready to compete in the NJCAA Division III National Tournament at Genesee Community College on November 12th.
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