DURHAM, N.H. - For the first time since 2014 the top two teams will play for the America East Men’s Soccer Championship.
In game one, senior forward Victor Menudier bookended halftime with two goals as No. 10 UNH advanced to the #AEMSOC championship game for the third consecutive season. In the second game, Vermont capped off the evening flexing its top-notch defense with a 1-0 triumph over NJIT.
The Wildcats will host the championship game on Saturday at 4 p.m. with the winner receiving the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
#AEMSOC Semifinals Recap
#1 UNH 2, #4 Hartford 0
- Victor Menudier scored the first goal of the championship in the 43rd minute.
- Chris Pinkham sent the ball into the box and Menudier capitalized on a rebound after his original attempt was saved by the Hartford keeper.
- In the 47th minute, Sam Henneberg sent a ball through to Menudier who sprinted past the Hartford back line and buried his fifth goal of the season to give UNH a 2-0 lead.
- It was the fourth shutout of the season for Goalkeeper of the Year Alejandro Robles.
- UNH outscored Hartford 6-0 in two games this season.
#2 Vermont 1, #3 NJIT 0
- Vermont junior Alex Nagy’s goal in the eighth minute from Garrett Lillie was the difference.
- The All-Conference first-teamer headed a ball to the far post from about ten yards out.
- The Catamounts entered the game fifth in the nation in goals against average and came up with their fifth shutout of the season.
- Both teams combined for just three shots on goal in the first half and eight in the game.
- Vermont netminder Nate Silveira kept an offense led by Striker of the Year Regsan Watkins off the scoresheet with five saves.
The Wildcats are the first top seed to advance to the title game in consecutive years since UMBC in 2013 and 2014 while Vermont is back in the finals for the first time since 2015. It is the first championship meeting of the two programs in any round since 2012. They have never met in the championship game.
The Catamounts are seeking a sixth America East title and first since 2015. With a win, the Wildcats would become just the third team in league history to three-peat.
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.
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