NEW LONDON, CT - Mitchell College won its first-ever post-season championship competing athletically as a four-year institution with a 3-0 victory over Saint Joseph's College of Maine in the Association of Division III Independents Northeast Regional Championship. The Monks of Saint Joseph's College, who will join the Great Northeast Athletic Conference in 2007, end this year's season at 9-11.
The Pequots dominated the first half of play, outshooting the Monks 10-2. Mitchell netted the first goal of the game at 12:19 when tournament most outstanding player Chris Mackinnel (Sr., Co-Captain, Branford, CT) punched in a nice low cross from midfielder Alex Deltgen (Fr., Norwich, CT). Mitchell maintained the 1-0 lead into half-time.
Mitchell continued its strong offensive attack in the second half outshooting the Monks 12-5, carrying a 22-7 shot advantage for the game. The Peqouts found the back of the net eight and a half minutes into the second half when Kevin Patterson (So., Narragansett, RI) led a streaking Josh Griffo (So., Higganum, CT) into the penalty box who one-timed a blast by the outstretched Monk goaltender Corey Smith (Fr., Ellsworth, ME). Mitchell continued the pressure through the half due to the strong play of the defensive back field who continually thwarted potential Monk counter attacks. The Pequots earned their final tally at the 68:20 mark when a Mitchell service into the penalty box was deflected off the head of a Saint Joseph's defender to the head of Mitchell midfielder Alex Deltgen who flicked it to an open Josh DaSilveira (Jr., Milford, NH) for a solid header to the back of the net.
Defensively, Saint Joseph's was led in the net by Smith who had 9 saves. Mitchell keeper Ryan West (Fr., New Britain, CT) finished an outstanding weekend with 2 saves on the day, allowing only one goal during the tournament.
Earning AD3I All-Tournament honors for Saint Joseph's College are Kevin Hageman (Sr., Albion, ME) and co-captains David Hakes (Sr.,Whitefield, NH) and David Rosquete, (Gr., Auburn, ME). Mackinnel, Griffo, Patterson and DaSilveira represent Mitchell on the All-Tournament team.
