West Windsor, N.J. -Throughout the regular season and leading up to the NJCAA Region 19 title game against Burlington County College on Oct. 30, MCCC centerback Robin Patton had proven himself a bedrock of the Vikings defense, according to Head Coach Larry Povia.
But Patton picked this very important game to make a key difference on both defense and offense.

Played at hte NJIT soccer stadium, the contest remained scoreless through the first half as both teams fought for every possession. It looked as though the second half might shape up the same way as the clock ticked down. But, with 20 minutes remaining, Patton found the Burlington goal on a header and the Vikings went up 1-0. Patton was assisted by midfielder Dylan Smith.

Then, with almost no time left on the clock, Patton once again played a decisive role. This time he was in his more familiar place in front of Mercer's own goal, heading a Burlington shot safely away to preserve the win.

In goal for the Vikings was Diego Diaz, who replaced goalkeeper Chris Ball after Ball was injured during Mercer's semi-final match-up against Essex CC Oct. 25. Since coming into that game with 31 minutes remaining in regulation, Diaz has risen to the challenge. With MCCC and Essex deadlocked 2-2 at the end of double overtime, he stopped a penalty kick a to advance MCCC to the championship and then earned the 1-0 shutout in the title game.

Patton was named Defensive MVP and Kadeem Dacres was named the Offensive MVP. Dacres was also named the Player of the Year for Region 19.

With the win, Mercer recaptures the Region 19 title after losing in the final against Essex last year. The Vikings will head to the Northeast District championship next weekend in Brockton, MA. In addition to Mercer, the four-team tournament includes Massasoit CC (Brockton, MA), Monroe CC (Rochester, NY), and Monroe CC (Bronx, NY).

Mercer will face Monroe (Rochester) on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Vikings defeated Monroe earlier in the season by a score of 3-2. The winners of Saturday's games will face off for the district title on Sunday at 11 a.m.

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