Men’s Soccer Captures First YSCC Title In 7 Years, Earns Auto-Bid To Nationals

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine—The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) men's soccer team secured its first Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) championship since 2011 defeating #2 Central Maine Community College (CMCC) 4-2 at Wainwright Recreation Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

Semifinals (Oct. 26) vs. #4 Unity College
It was first-year Joel Musese (Auburn, Maine) who took over a 0-0 match scoring his first hat trick of the season spanning 60 seconds in the early goings of the second half—all unassisted. SMCC took 63 total shots, landing 35 on frame. First-year Joshua Nagle (Biddeford, Maine) made five saves to log the shutout and push the SeaWolves through to the next round.

View the photo gallery of the game HERE.

Finals (Oct. 29) vs. #2 Central Maine CC
It was Musese again for his eighth score of his rookie campaign after a dribble move on the right flank at the 3:50 marker. First-year Mohamed Matan (Lewiston, Maine) converted a penalty kick to double the SeaWolf lead less than five minutes later, and then it was first-year Alvaro Coto (Lyman, Maine) with the goal of the year, connecting for a full volley coming from across the box at 11:29—his second of the season.

CMCC's Peter Vigna chipped away at the SMCC lead slotting a shot by in the 32^nd minute. Vigna closed the deficit to one goal with his second of the game at 82:58. On the next trip down sophomore Yaroslav Philbrook (Chernigov, Ukraine) offered security with the fourth score of the game on a ball delivered by Musese.

Men's soccer locks in 13 wins this season, the most in Head Coach Brian Dougher's tenure.

Tournament Champions: Southern Maine CC
Tournament Runner-Up: Central Maine CC

Defensive Player of the Tournament: Hussein Hassan (SMCC)
Offensive Player of the Tournament: Peter Vigna (CMCC)
Tournament MVP: Joel Musese (SMCC)

In a post-game interview, Coach Dougher commented, "It's difficult to beat a team three times in a season, especially a talented Central Maine program, but our guys really stepped up on the biggest stage today. We were fortunate to find the back of the net in the early stages with two spectacular goals and played the momentum for the remainder. I'm excited to show this team off against the best in Virginia Beach next week!"

With the result, the SeaWolves punch their ticket to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Div. 2 National Tournament in Virginia Beach, Va. The tournament is scheduled to begin Friday, Nov. 8. SMCC will find out its pool play seeding upon release of the USCAA Bid Selection Show Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 3:30 p.m. WATCH the selection show HERE.

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