Box Score Castleton, VT – Freshman Dameon Young (Fairfax, VT) converted a diving header with 45 seconds remaining in regulation to propel Castleton State College to a 1-0 win over Husson University in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) men's soccer action at Spartan Stadium Saturday.
A Husson foul with 48 seconds remaining in the contest set Castleton up with a free kick from 22 yards out. Dillon Zaengle (Westhampton, MA) played the ball in towards the far post, where a diving Young was able to get just enough of his head on the ball to redirect it past the dive of Husson goalie Brian Potter (Waterville, ME).
The goal closed out an incredible 90 minutes of evenly matched soccer action, pitting the top two teams in the conference. With the win, Castleton assumes control of its own destiny at 8-5-1, 5-1-0 while Husson falls to 7-6-1, 5-1-0.
Husson held a 21-16 advantage in shots, while Castleton boasted an 8-1 margin in corner kicks. Nate Koenemann (Montpelier, VT) stopped seven shots in the win, while Potter finished with three saves in the loss.
In the second half both goalies were on display, beginning with Castleton's Koenemann just three minutes after intermission. Philip Frost (Bangor, ME) was able to redirect a bounding ball towards the net that forced Koenemann to make a leaping save, reaching back towards the goal line and flicking it out of harm's way.
Castleton senior Nick Johnas (Niskayuna, NY) nearly broke the deadlock in the 75th minute, settling a loose ball and unleashing towards the nearside post, but Potter made a fantastic stop to keep the teams knotted at one.
Just three minutes later, Husson sophomore Zach Emeigh (Ellsworth, ME) found himself alone with Koenemann and struck a low shot on net but the Spartan keeper was able to make a beautiful kick-save to preserve the tie.
Eagles head coach Jeff Gettler had this to say after the match, "I thought we played well today. We really brought the fight to Castleton, and gave very good effort. Now we find ourselves in a must-win game tomorrow if we have any shot to finish the regular season with the league lead. This is what it's all about, things are going to come down to the wire in the NAC, and we're ready to go out there and fight because we want first place."
Both teams return to NAC action tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 as the Spartans host Maine Maritime, and the Eagles travel to Green Mountain.
