DIII MEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP DIGITAL PROGRAM
After a competitive season, Gordon College Men's Soccer took home the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championship after a run of upsets. In the final match, the Fighting Scots defeated their hosts, Salve Regina University, with seconds to go in double overtime, ultimately earning an automatic bid into the 2021 DIII NCAA Tournament. In the initial round, the Scots will take on their hosts, the Red Hawks of Montclair State, when they travel to the host site in Montclair, New Jersey for a 1 p.m. start on Saturday November 13. Later that evening, Washington College will battle St. Lawrence University at 3:30 p.m. for a spot in Sunday's second round competition.
The Red Hawks earned an at-large bid into the Tournament after an impressive 16-3-1 overall record (8-1-0 conference). Over their 2021 season, Montclair netted 57 goals while holding their opponents to just 11 over the course of 20 games making for an average of 2.85 goals scored per game and .55 goals against.
Montclair landed six Red Hawks on the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) All-Conference team as well as scooping up three major awards. The All-NJAC First Team selections for the Red Hawks include
Amer Lukovic,
Gene Carlo Altamirano,
Josiah Crawford, and
Ian Chesny. Meanwhile,
Janbi Kaghado and
Shane Keenan found themselves on the Second Team. In addition to their stellar athletes, Montclair's head coach Todd
Tumelty was named the Coach of the Year in their Conference.
Lukovic, the main scorer for the Red Hawks, is predicted to lead Montclair on the offensive end this weekend after recording a total of 16 goals in 20 games played. The outstanding freshman was also honored as the Rookie of the Year after spearheading the Red Hawk's successful season. Crawford also received a major award for his efforts in the midfield after dishing out six assists and adding five goals to the stat sheet.
Protecting the net for the Red Hawks is standout keeper
Shane Keenan who only recorded one loss in goal for Montclair. Keenan booked an almost flawless save percentage of .929 in 11 games played. Additionally, the senior goalie was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team for his efforts on the field and in the classroom.
For the Scots, Gordon will be led by their five All-CCC selections
Chase Gwynn,
Luckson Dambo,
Casey Torres,
Dayton Crocker, and
Brody Veleber. Gwynn, Dambo, and Torres were named to the First Team and each scored at least one goal and also chipped in one game-winner each. Crocker and Veleber controlled the opposing teams offense, with Veleber recording 19 saves in three postseason games. The Scots' defense held the No. 1 Endicott Gulls to just two goals before keeping No. 3 Salve Regina to one goal in the CCC Championship.
Joining the Scots and Red Hawks this weekend are the Washington College Shoremen and St. Lawrence University Saints. The Shoremen earned their spot in the First Round after clinching their first Centennial Conference Championship thanks to a 2-0 victory over Gettysburg this past weekend. The Saints who are no stranger to the NCAA Tournament, sealed the deal with a 3-1 victory over Ithaca to win the Liberty League Final.
Outside The Lines
- The Scots and Red Hawks have met once before in September of 2017 when Montclair traveled to Gordon's home turf and defeated the Fighting Scots 1-0 after a late goal with six minutes left before forcing an overtime.
- Montclair is making its 20th overall appearance in the Division III Tournament.
- Gordon's trip to this year's NCAA Tournament marks the second time in Head Coach Matt Horth's tenure, that he has brought a squad to the tournament.
- In their last trip in 2018, the Fighting Scots tied with Stevenson, losing in penalty kicks in the first round at Tufts University.
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