Men’s Soccer Falls To Host NHTI In YSCC Semis

CONCORD, N.H.— The #1 Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) men’s soccer team was defeated 4-3 by #4 NHTI in the semi-final game of the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) Final Four playoff tournament on Saturday, Oct. 27.

NHTI’s Bryen Woody put the home team up by a score in the ninth minute and again at 33:08, this time assisted by Abdullah Juma. Sophomore Yaroslav Philbrook (Chernigov, Ukraine) created for himself to cut the SeaWolf deficit in half in the final minute of the first half.

Woody completed the hat trick for the Lynx near two minutes into second half action to put the hosts up 3-1. With less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation, SMCC came storming back to even the score at 3-3 with goals courtesy of Philbrook and senior Tristan Campbell (Parsonsfield, Maine)—his first of the season.

To ruin a thrilling comeback, NHTI’s Blaise Masumbuko netted the game winner on a ball from Woody at 88:02 to send the Lynx to the finals. NHTI would eventually defeat Vermont Technical College in the championship game 1-0 in overtime to secure its second consecutive YSCC title.

The SeaWolves conclude their season at 6-6-3 overall, and as regular season conference champions at 5-0-2.

Prior to the game, YSCC All-Conference awards were announced. Senior Jamal Durrani (Lebanon, Maine), sophomore Hanssen Casey (Eliot, Maine), and first-year Camden Labrecque (Saco, Maine) all were selected. Labrecque was also celebrated as YSCC Goalkeeper of the Year.

View the photo gallery of the game HERE.
View the photo gallery of the YSCC awards ceremony HERE.

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