STANDISH, ME - Jack LaFreniere '13 (Alton, NH) tallied his third game-winner of the year in the 60th minute of play to help Saint Joseph's (13-7-1, 7-2 GNAC) get past #4 Norwich University (10-7-2, 5-3-1 GNAC), 2-1, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference Semifinal contest at Westerlea Way Field on Tuesday afternoon. With the win, the Monks will host #6 Emerson, who upset #2 Lasell, 2-1 in the other semifinal matchup this afternoon, in the GNAC Men's Soccer Championship on Saturday, time TBD.
For the Monks, the victory avenges the loss suffered at the hands of the Cadets in last season's conference championship. Norwich tipped St. Joe's, 2-1, in Northfield, VT to earn the automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament last fall.
St. Joe's keeper Will Pike '10 (Gorham, ME) made three stops in goal and his counterpart, Charles Maxwell '10 (Rochester, NY) registered six saves for the Cadets in the losing effort.
After 40 minutes of scoreless play, Jesse West '12 (Enosburg Falls, VT) put the Monks on the board with 41st minute tally. A Joseph Happnie '11 (Rockland, MA) throw-in was headed by Matt Barlion '13 (Auburn, ME/St. Dominic) towards the left corner of the box. West managed to get a piece of the ball and headed the sphere into the left corner past a sprawling Maxwell.
The deciding goal was the end result of an outstanding individual effort from LaFreniere. The freshman forward dribbled the ball nearly 50 yards past three Cadet defenders and, from about six yards out on the right side, drilled a shot to the left corner of the net, to doubling the SJC advantage with 34:14 remaining.
Ten minutes later, the Cadets nearly cut their deficit in half on a short breakaway attempt by Kyle Buscaglia '13 (Akron, NY). A crisp crossing pass, left to right, from Danny Hudson '13 (Mattituck, NY) set up a scoring chance, but Buscaglia was denied by Pike, who left the net to challenge and made a sliding save 13 yards out.
The 2-0 lead nearly held, but the final minutes of play became a little less comfortable for the Royal Blue faithful after an 84th minute goal was scored by Norwich defender Zach Blodgett '11 (Troy, NH). Off an indirect kick into the right side of the box, Roger Motaze '11 (Cameroon) sent a crossing pass to Blodgett, who headed the ball to the bottom left corner just beyond Pike's reach, cutting the SJC lead to 2-1. Blodgett's tally was the first goal surrendered to a GNAC opponent by the Monks at Westerlea Way Field this season. St. Joe's has outscored opponents 12-1 at home this fall.
The late surge by the Cadets proved to be too little, too late, however, as the Monks managed to hold off the visitors for a victory that allows the Royal Blue to advance to the GNAC Championship for the second year in a row.
St. Joe's defeated Emerson, 2-0, in Boston on October 4th. Doug MacCallum '10 (Hingham, MA) and Paul Robins '11 (Cornwall, England) scored the SJC goals and Pike registered eight saves in the triumph.
For the Saint Joseph's Men's Soccer program, the hosting of a conference championship match will be a first-time occurrence. The Monks' lone conference title came in 2000 when current Assistant Coach Jeff Yaeger '04, a starter in goal as a rookie, helped the Royal Blue defeat Maine-Presque Isle, 2-0, at a neutral site.
Also of note, the victory over the Cadets sets a new Monks' single season record for wins. The previous record of 12 was set in 2000 and tied by the 2008 side.
Norwich (10-7-2) vs. St. Joseph's (Me.) (13-7-1)
Date: Nov 03, 2009 Attendance: 215
Weather:
Goals by period 1 2
Tot
-------------------------------
Norwich............. 0 1 - 1
St. Joseph's (Me.).. 1 1 - 2
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 40:29 SJMMS Jesse West (Matt Barlion) - throw in by
11 headed by 23 to the corner of the goal tipped in by 6 L
2. 55:46 SJMMS Jack Lafreniere (unassisted)
3. 83:42 NOR Zach Blodgett (Roger Motaze) - headed in
off free kick to left corner, past diving pike
Shots: Norwich 9, St. Joseph's (Me.) 14
Saves: Norwich 6 (Charles Maxwell 6), St. Joseph's (Me.) 3 (Will
Pike
3)
