MCCC Soccer Teams Perform
Valiantly in Northeast District Tournament


11/11/08


There is only one happy ending for MCCC soccer teams in the Northeast District Soccer Tournament, played at the MCCC Soccer Complex Nov. 7-9. The Mercer men will advance to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) tournament in Phoenix, AZ, later this month, while the women lost a hard-fought contest in overtime. But all of Mercer's soccer players can take pride in their performance during the tournament and throughout the season.

The men had two decisive wins over the weekend and will return to the nationals for the ninth consecutive year. First, Mercer defeated Massasoit CC of 5-1 on Nov. 8 in the semifinal round. Sophomore midfielder Rob Cabrera had a day to remember, scoring three goals and adding an assist; goals were also scored by Amit Abudmad and Ido Legity.

On Nov. 9, Mercer won a tough match against Bryant & Stratton by a score of 2-0. (Bryant & Stratton advanced to the final after defeating Essex CC 1-0 in the other semifinal game the previous day). Abudmad, a freshman forward, scored in the first half and then added another goal with just two minutes left in the game. Under head coach Charlie Inverso, now in his 23rd season, the Vikings' record to date is 17-2.

On the women's side, Mercer faced Monroe Community College (NY) in the final, after a bye in the semifinal round, which was played Nov. 7. (In that round, Monroe defeated the Community College of Rhode Island on penalty kicks following double overtime.) Mercer was down 1-0 at the half, but quickly came back with goals by midfielder Marlene Chotkowski and forward Kasey Kenny. The Vikings held off an aggressive attack by Monroe until the last two minutes of the game when Monroe scored, forcing the game into overtime. Then, with seconds remaining in the first overtime, a call against Mercer in front of the goal resulted in Monroe being awarded a direct kick and scoring as the clock ran out.

Despite the heart-breaking loss, second-year head coach Jodie Ricciardi is proud of her players and the results of the season. With a final record of 17-4-1, the Mercer women more than doubled their wins from last year's 8-11 season.

Northeast District Champs

Hugs all around

Coach Ricciardi holds halftime strategy session during women's game against Monroe
Going for the goal against Monroe
 
Among the fans for the women's game were parents and members of the men's soccer team.

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