Herkimer – There usually isn’t much difference between the Nos. 4 and 5 seeds in a soccer tournament and that was the case in Thursday’s men’s soccer NJCAA National Quarterfinal round match between Herkimer County Community College and Camden (NJ) County College.
But there was a big difference in how the teams reacted when Caio Figueira de Oliveira made his penalty kick.
CCC erupted in celebration as it clinched a win. The teams battled to a 1-1 tie in regulation and were scoreless through two overtime sessions. No. 4 seed CCC then won the PK shootout 4-2 to advance to the semifinals.
Camden County’s Marco DeMoares (28) collides with Herkimer’s Eddie Speed (28) late in the first half
“We just didn’t play well today,” HCCC coach Pepe Aragon said after his No. 5 seeded team lost. “We came out a little nervous in the first half then the second half we gathered ourselves a bit. But we weren’t sharp. We couldn’t finish.”
Despite being a bit off, the Generals (13-4) had the better of play in the first half and ended it ahead 1-0. There were few good chances by either team until Brian Vazquez headed a ball wide in the ninth minute for the hosts. Allen Costa had CCC’s first good chance in the 28th minute but HCCC goalie Morrice Baker made a great save. Three minutes later the momentum was definitely with the hosts as Eddie Speed started a corner kick play that netted a goal. His pass to Proctor alum Moulid Somow on a short ball play led to a cross to Connor Doogan. The native of Ireland headed it past CCC goalie Anthony Cutillo with 15:51 to play in the half.
Herkimer’s Means Sorensen (21) goes into harm’s way as a Camden County player looks to move the ball up
It stayed that way for awhile then CCC threatened to knot the score early in the second half. Derek Desantanna hit a short direct kick that Baker had to make a diving save on, and the defense cleared the rebound.
Femi Kaffo and Somow kept the pressure on for HCCC with a few chances as time wound down, but CCC did not fold. A disputed call in the corner in the 84th minute led to a corner kick that Desantanna kicked perfectly to James Whitty for a header that Baker had no chance on and suddenly it was 1-1.
Kaffo, Somow and Walter Medina had a few chances in the final minutes of regulation for HCCC, but Cutillo was able to thwart each try.
HCCC had the better of play in the two overtimes but managed just one great chance to score. It came after CCC’s Marco De Moreas Pinto Filho was issued a red card with 8:25 to play. Filho took Kaffo down near the sideline and it left HCCC a man up the rest of the way. Only Medina managed a great shot on goal, and it came off a Kaffo pass. Cutillo cut it off just in time and the Cougars defense held on to force PKs.
DeSantanna shot first and scored for CCC then Speed shot high for the hosts. Craig Lynch made it 2-0 for CCC before Harold marin tallied for HCCC. Baker stopped a shot by Kaixin Zhen then cheered as Doogan knotted the PK score for HCCC.
Camden County’s Allen Costa (21) climbs the ladder with Herkimer’s Connor Doogan (26) for a 1st half corner kick
Ethan Perry’s hard shot to the upper right gave CCC the lead again and when Kaffo’s ensuing shot was stopped it gave Oliveira the chance to clinch the win for the Cougars.
“To give up a goal with six minutes left, that’s a tough one to take,” Aragon said. “And in overtime (after the card) they played for PKs, which was smart of them.”
Baker had two saves to three for Cutillo.
HCCC (13-4): Connor Doogan 1-0, Moulid Somow 0-1. Saves – Morrice Baker 2.
CCC (14-3): James Whitty 1-0, Derek Desantanna 0-1. Saves – Anthony Cutillo 3.
