EDISON, NJ - The Northampton men's soccer team picked up an important road win on Monday afternoon, downing nationally-ranked Middlesex College, 2-1, at Colts Field.
Middlesex, who received votes in this week's national poll, got on the board first, taking advantage of a defensive lapse by the Spartans, to take a 1-0 lead 15 minutes into the contest.
10 minutes later the Spartans responded as
Matthew Bayda (Bethlehem, PA/Nazareth) found
Nicholas McCoy (Bangor, PA/Bangor), who was able to beat the Middlesex keeper to tie the contest at 1-1.
The hard-fought contest remained tied until the 74 minute mark when
Rodrigo Maguina (Peru/Easton) lofted a long strike perfectly over the Middlesex keeper into the upper corner, for what would prove to be the game winner.
The defense was able to hold the Colts at bay, and control possession for the final 16 minutes, to earn the 2-1 victory.
"This was a big win for us," stated Head Coach
Mario Barrantes, "to go on the road early in the season and defeat a strong opponent like Middlesex is a great confidence booster for our kids."
Drake Brackett (West Easton, PA/Wilson) finished with 3 saves in goal to earn the win, as the Spartans improved to 3-0-0 overall and 1-0-0 in Region 19.
The loss drops Middlesex to 2-1-0 overall and 2-1-0 in Region play.
The Spartans return to the pitch on Thursday when they host EPAC foe Montgomery County Community College at 3:30pm.
