New Hampshire and Vermont, two teams that have combined for 28 wins so far this season, will decide the 2021 #AEMSOC championship as they each posted wins in the semifinals on Wednesday.
The top-seeded Wildcats, the No. 6 ranked team in the country, downed fifth-seeded UMBC 4-0 while second-seeded Vermont beat sixth-seeded NJIT, 3-2.
New Hampshire will host Vermont in the title game for the second-straight season. A champion will be crowned on Sunday at 2 p.m. The game will air on AmericaEast.TV.
Semifinals Recap
#1 UNH 4 , #5 UMBC 0
- The Wildcats struck early and never looked back to oust the Retrievers and advance to their fourth-straight title game and sixth since 2010.
- ?Johann von Knebel staked UNH to an early 1-0 lead, knocking in a rebound in just the fourth minute.
- Paul Mayer, a first-team All-Conference selection, padded the advantage in the 32nd minute using fancy footwork to finish a pass from von Knebel.
- Rory O’Driscoll buried a cross from Liam Bennett in the 53rd minute to make it 3-0 UNH.
- Linus Fallberg added UNH’s final tally 11:14 later off another assist from Von Knebel, who had a four point night.
- UNH outshot UMBC 13-8 and had six corner kicks to the Retrievers’ none.
#2 Vermont 3, #6 NJIT 2
- The Catamounts are back in the championship game after growing a 3-0 lead before holding off a late NJIT charge to eliminate the Highlanders.?
- The two teams went scoreless in the first half until Yeves Borie got UVM on the board. After Noah Egan’s drive off a corner hit the post, Borie buried the rebound in the 39th minute.
- Joe Morrison knocked home a rebound in the 61st minute to make it 2-0.
- Lerech set up his second goal of the day, this one put home by Jacob Vitale in the 78th minute.
- NJIT had a late flurry scoring twice in a 2:21 span in the 86th and 88th minutes, but fell just short. Asembo Augo and Regsan Watkins, a second-team All-America East selection, scored
This will be the second-straight year Vermont and New Hampshire meet in the #AEMSOC championship game after UNH posted a 2-0 win in the 2020-21 title tilt just last April.
The Catamounts are seeking a sixth America East title and first since 2015. With a win, the Wildcats would become just the second team in conference history to win four-straight titles.
Stay up-to-date on the tournament by visiting Championship Central for box scores, highlights and recaps from Thursday's action in addition to live coverage links for Saturday's championship game.
Follow @AmericaEast and @AEDigitalNet on Twitter to get the real-time championship updates. Use the #AEChamps and #AEMSOC hashtags to join the conversation.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
- #3Pillars – Building the Complete Student-Athlete -