DURHAM, N.H. – Two goals in a two-minute span was the difference as top seed New Hampshire captured its fourth championship in the last five years, taking down #3 UAlbany 2-0 in the America East Men’s Soccer Championship on Sunday evening.
The Wildcats put early pressure on the Great Danes and came through in the 19th minute as Eli Goldman scored off a feed from Jamie Davis. UNH added to their lead at 20:38 as Tola Showunmi finished off a rebound of a Bilal Kamal shot.
UAlbany tried to counter in the second half and outshot the Wildcats 7-3 over the final 45 minutes with three corner kicks but couldn’t get a shot past Jassem Koleilat. Koleilat was honored as the Most Outstanding Player after his second straight shutout, making two saves to clinch the victory on Sunday.
New Hampshire earned the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship with the win. The complete field, along with other possible at-large selections from the America East will be announced during the NCAA Selection Show on Monday at 1 p.m. on NCAA.com.
UAlbany’s Giuliano Lucca was awarded the Elite 18 Award for owning the highest GPA among the student-athletes competing in the #AEMSOC Championship. The senior owns a 4.00 as a Business Administration major.
America East is one of the best men’s soccer conferences in the country. Four teams have reached the third round of the NCAA tournament since 2014, including UMBC getting all the way to the College Cup in 2014. The conference has received multiple bids to the NCAA tournament in three of last seven seasons, including in 2021 when both UNH and league champion Vermont received bids.
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.
– Building the Complete Student-Athlete –