Concord, NH – The Seawolves of Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) men's soccer team are the 2011 Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) champions. They bested the Bobcats of Paul Smiths College (NY) in penalty kicks after 90 minutes of regulation and 2 overtime periods.
SMCC and Paul Smiths entered the championship game as the #1 seeds from their respective divisions. Both teams played well in regulation, but neither team was able to score in the first 90 minutes. The Seawolves controlled the ball for most of the two overtime periods, but couldn't find the back of the net.
Penalty kicks would decide the conference champion. Four of the first five kickers scored for both teams, with both keepers making key stops. Junior midfielder Keith McClure (Buxton, ME) would step up to take the PK as SMCC's sixth kicker. McClure buried it past the out-stretched arm of the Paul Smiths keeper. SMCC's freshman keeper Corey Grigas (Hardwick, MA) then stopped the Bobcats' return PK by deflecting the ball over the crossbar to secure the victory.
Paul Smith's Jeff Langschwager (Churchville, NY) was selected as the Defensive Player of the Game. McClure earned the Offensive Player of the Game award for his successful penalty kick. Grigas earned Player of the Match honors for his play during regulation, overtimes and penalty kicks. Grigas recorded 12 saves on the day.
The Seawolves are now 13-2-1 overall and went undefeated in YSCC play. The team now looks to prepare for the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national championship tournament to be held in Asheville, NC on November 3rd-5th.
