BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Northampton men's soccer team got back in the win column on Thursday, downing visiting Salem Community College, 5-1.

The Spartans opened the scoring at the 32 minute mark as Nic McCoy (Bangor, PA/Bangor) slotted the ball to John Stier (Northampton, PA/Northampton), who beat the Salem keeper for a 1-0 Northampton lead. 

The Mighty Oaks wasted no time in returning the favor, tying the contest just over 60 seconds later, with a shot to the upper 90 from 30 yards out.

Stier picked up his 2nd goal of the day with just over 5 minutes remaining in the half, knocking home a corner kick from Nic McCoy (Bangor, PA/Bangor) to make it 2-1 Northampton at the break. 

After halftime the Spartans started to control the flow of the game, keeping possession from Salem and applying pressure to the Mighty Oaks back line.  Nic McCoy (Bangor, PA/Bangor) picked up his 3rd assist of the day at the 65 minute mark, finding Ismaila Jallow (Gambia/West African International School) for the tally to give Northampton a 3-1 lead.

The match remained 3-1 until the 81st minute when Jaxson Berrier (Catasauqua, PA/Catasauqua) rocketed a shot off the goalkeeper that Brenden Nye (Catasauqua, PA/Catasauqua) deposited in the back of the goal for a 4-1 advantage.'

Nic McCoy (Bangor, PA/Bangor) put the finishing touches on the contest with just 4 minutes left with a blast to the upper 90 off an assist from Mario Sandy (Queens, NY/Pocono Mt. East), to make the final 5-1.

Colston Jasionowski (Easton, PA/Bethlehem Catholic) and John Stier (Northampton, PA/Northampton) combined to make 4 saves for the Spartans. 

Head Coach Mario Barrantes praised defenders Cael Anderko (Moore Township, PA/Northampton) and Matthew Frangos (Bangor, PA/Bangor), stating that they, "controlled the game in the back and did an outstanding job controlling the Salem offensive attacks."

Northampton improves to 2-2-1 overall with the win, while Salem falls to 0-3-0. 

The Spartans hit the road this weekend, traveling to Toms River, NJ on Saturday to face Ocean County College at 12pm.