“This is absolutely huge for us,” Broome Community College hea coach Bill Rich said. ”Our women’s soccer team has the only two national championships at our college in any sport.”

Brenna Campbell scored the winning goal for Broome Community College with just over 20 minutes left to play in the game. Campbell’s score came around six minutes after a goal from Ocean County College’s Teresa Cambra tied the game.

Before this intense six-minute stretch of back-and-forth soccer, the game’s only goal was by Broome’s Marisa Corson, whose score happened with under 40 seconds remaining in the first half.

For the tournament, Broome CC (20-1-1) had five different players score goals. Tori Matt, who scored two goals in Broome’s semifinal game, was the only Lady Hornet player to score more than once.

“We are very excited,” Rich said. ”This team had 18 freshmen on it. They really came together as a team.”

Ocean County College finished its season with an 18-3 record.

Women’s Tournament MVP: Katie Schild, Broome Community College

Women’s Coach of the Tournament: Bill Rich, Broome Community College

Men’s All-Tournament Team
Juan Moncada, County College of Morris
John Webber, County College of Morris
Jeff Gregor, Manchester Community College
Jason Walker, Manchester Community College
Ben Gomez, Triton College
Rodrigo Avolos, Triton College
David Rodriguez, Triton College
Gabe Chavez, Triton College
Corey Phillips, Herkimer County Community College
Harry Appiah, Herkimer County Community College
Sean Trinidad, Herkimer County Community College

Men’s Tournament MVP: Sean Trinidad, Herkimer County Community College

Men’s Coach of the Tournament: Pepe Aragon, Herkimer County Community College

That’s how many titles the Herkimer County Community College men’s soccer team now have after it shook off a slow start and received great play down the stretch from Joeski Williams and Corey Phillips to beat Triton College, 2-1, in Sunday’s 2008 NJCAA Division III National Soccer Championship finale at Richland College.

The win was the second of the tournament in which the Generals (20-3) had to fight off an early deficit.

“This is unbelievable. In both games, to come from behind, especially in this game, having scored two goals in 8 minutes … it just shows you their resiliency,” Herkimer CCC head coach Pepe Aragon said. “They refuse to lose and just never give up.”

Trailing 1-0 at halftime after Triton College (14-5) midfielder Rafal Ryndak scored with nearly 19 minutes left in the first half, Herkimer’s Phillips assisted on the tying goal from Williams, the tournament’s MVP, with around 8 minutes remaining in the contest.

Minutes later, Triton appeared that it would take the lead on a Chris Camie header but Generals goalkeeper James Taber made a huge save to keep the game tied.

Then, during Herkimer’s next trip downfield, Phillips, who was named to the All-Tournament Team, received a pass inside the goalie box, where he used his size and fancy footwork to free up just enough space from the defender to kick the winning goal with 2:45 left in the game, ultimately giving the Generals their first national championship since 2005.

Before this year, Richland College, the tournament’s host had won five of the past six championships.

“This win is huge. To win any championship now gets tougher and tougher every year,” Aragon said. “To have won our seventh championship is something very special.”

Triton College was making its fifth appearance in the national tournament and first since 1995. Prior to this year, Triton College’s best finish in the national tournament was fifth.

Herkimer Community College proved on Saturday against County College of Morris why it has six NJCAA Division III men’s National Soccer Championship tournament titles.

Trailing 1-0 for majority of its semifinal game, Herkimer CC tied the game around midway through the second half before Lee Martins scored the winning goal in overtime to lift the Generals to a huge 2-1 comeback victory.

The win advances Herkimer CC to the championship game at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday when the Generals (19-3) play Triton College (14-4).

Herkimer fell behind early when County College of Morris’ David Mero’ scored at around 10 minutes into the game.

Morris’ lead stood until Harry Appiah’s goal tied the game with just over 23 minutes left to play in regulation.

County College of Morris (17-4) will play Manchester Community College (17-3-1) for third place in the consolation game at 10 a.m.

DALLAS – Kristen DeMuth scored the go-ahead goal late in the first half for Ocean County College, which defeated Rochester Community and Technical College, 3-1, to advance to the women’s NJCAA Division III National Soccer Championship title game on Sunday.

Ocean CC (18-2) wasted little time in jumping out to a 1-0 lead less than six minutes into the game on a Danielle Pagano goal, which was assisted by Rebecca Hodnicky.

However, the lead was short-lived when around 40 seconds later, Rochester’s Nastya Jenson scored from around 40 yards out to knot the score at 1-1 before DeMuth’s goal broke the tie.

Ashley Bechtle made sure there wouldn’t be any comeback for Rochester CTC when she scored the game’s final goal with around 4 minutes left to play.

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In an evenly played NJCAA Division III National Soccer Championship men’s semifinal matchup, Rodrigo Avolos’ header with around 24 minutes left to play in the contest was the difference in a 1-0 Triton College victory over Manchester Community College on Saturday at Richland College.

The win advances Triton (14-4) to the national championship game at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday when it will play the winner of the second semifinal game: Herkimer Community College vs. County College of Morris.

After Eric Herrera tried to center a corner kick, he received the ball right back when a Manchester defender tried to clear the ball, which led to a second attempt.

This time, Herrera centered the ball beautifully as Avolo leaped over a few defenders for his header that found the top right corner of the net.

Manchester (17-3-1) had a number of solid opportunities to tie the game down the stretch but each time it appeared that the Cougars would have an easy score, Triton’s goalie Ben Gomez made a huge stop.

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DALLAS – Broome College will have a chance to repeat as NJCAA Division III women’s soccer champions at 4 p.m. on Sunday in the 2008 title game at Richland College (Dallas, Texas).

The Lady Hornets defeated Holyoke Community College, 4-0, on Saturday in the semifinal round to advance to the title game.

Broome is looking to become the first women’s team to repeat as national champions since Brevard Community College accomplished the feat during the 1996-1997 seasons.

Broome (19-1-1), which out-shot Holyoke CC 23-12, jumped out to a quick lead on a Tori Matt goal and Sarah Furminger assist 10 minutes into the game.

Macy Davis, with an assist from Marisa Corson, and Calli Karl added goals in the first half to give Broome a commanding 3-0 halftime lead. Matt scored her second goal of the game in the second half to end the scoring.

Holyoke CC, which will play in the consolation game at 10 a.m. on Sunday, ended its season with a 13-7 record.

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The tournament will feature the top four men and women NJCAA Division III soccer teams in the nation.

Representing the men are Manchester CC (Conn.), Triton College (Ill.), County College of Morris (N.J.) and Herkimer Community College (N.Y.).

The men’s parings for Saturday’s opening games are No. 1 Manchester CC (17-2-1) vs. No. 4 Triton College (13-4) at 12:15 p.m. and No. 2 Herkimer CC (18-3) vs. No. 3 County College of Morris (17-3) at 4:45 p.m.

The winners will play for the championship on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. A consolation game will be played at 10 a.m.

Participating for the women are Holyoke Community College (Mass.), Broome College (N.Y.), Ocean County College (N.J.) and Rochester Comm. & Tech College (Minn.).

Saturday’s games for the women pair Holoyke CC (13-6) vs. Broome College (18-1-1) at 10 a.m. and Ocean CC (17-2) vs. Rochester Comm. & Tech College at 2:30 p.m.

The women’s championship game will be played at 4 p.m. on Sunday while the consolation game is at 10 a.m.

The tournament is open to the public with a $5 admission. Children 8 and under enter at no charge.
To watch the championship games live, click here.

Richland College’s men soccer team won the championship last season for the fifth time in six seasons. Richland’s women’s soccer team, which advanced to the semifinal round of the national tournament last year, has won two (2004 and 2006) of the last four women Division III national titles.

“Having the opportunity to host the NJCAA Division III national soccer tournaments is a great honor for Richland College,” said Tony Summers, Richland College athletic director. “For all of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex soccer fans, having this tournament here will present a ‘golden’ opportunity for you to watch some outstanding, competitive soccer from the best NJCAA teams in the nation.”

Richland will be hosting the first-ever Division III soccer tournament in DFW and in Texas.

For media inquiries, contact Justin Jones at 214-280-0796 justinjones@dcccd.edu.