BETHLEHEM, Pa. - After a disappointing tie to Lehigh Carbon on Thursday afternoon, the Northampton men's soccer team responded on Saturday afternoon vs. RCSJ-Gloucester with what Coach
Mario Barrantes called, "Our best overall performance to date." The Spartans downed the Roadrunners 3-1 to improve to 5-1-1 overall.
The Spartans opened the scoring 20 minutes into the contest when
Derek Filipkowski (Bangor, PA/Bangor ) found
Hatungimana Salem (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty), who deposited the ball past the Roadrunner goaltender for a 1-0 advantage.
Leading 1-0 at the 60 minute mark,
Justin Shambo (Bath, PA/Northampton) played a through-ball and used his speed to beat the defenders and then was taken down in the box, leading to a penalty kick for the Spartans.
Hatungimana Salem (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) scored the PK for his 2nd goal of the contest and a 2-0 lead for the Spartans.
With 15 minutes remaining, the Roadrunners were able to beat Nothampton goaltender
Drake Brackett (West Easton, PA/Wilson) with a low blast to the corner to cut the margin to 2-1.
The Spartans closed the door at the 7 minute mark, as Salem's shot hit off the post and bounced to Shambo, who knocked home the rebound for a 3-1 lead.
Brackett finished with 4 saves for Northampton.
The win moves Northampton to 5-1-1 overall and 3-1-1 in Region 19 play.
RCSJ-Gloucester falls to 3-5-1 overall and 2-4-1 in Region.
Northampton returns to action on Tuesday when they host Delaware County Community College at 3:30pm.
