BENNINGTON, Vt.- Reigning New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Player of the Year Nick Haggerty started the conference schedule off with a bang. Haggerty led the Southern Vermont College Men's Soccer team to a 5-2 victory over visiting Regis College. The senior captain scored four times for the Mountaineers, which improved to 2-2 in NECC openers. The game was Regis' first ever NECC match up.
"It is good to start off the conference play with a win. It is a small step in the direction we want to go this season," said Haggerty. "Our goal is to keep the momentum throughout the entire season."
Haggerty put the Mountaineers on the board 11:40 into the match, when sophomore Pierre Massena laid a ball across the middle of the box that Haggerty put home. The Pride answered right back though, when Shawn McDonough hit a full volley from 18 yards. Ricky Guyette gave Regis a brief lead at the 19 minute mark after he finished a Josh Fidalgo pass.
The Mountaineers and Haggerty didn't allow the lead to last long. Four minutes after Regis had the lead Massena found Haggerty again for his Haggerty's second goal of the game. 17 seconds later Haggerty found the back of the net again to give SVC a 3-2 lead they would never look back from. As the first half clock was winding down Chris Hansen hit a free kick that bounced off a Pride defender and into the back of the net for a 4-2 SVC halftime lead.
"Our tough non-conference schedule prepares us for our conference schedule," said the senior captain. Haggerty came into the match with two goals in four matches, but doubled his season output Saturday afternoon.
In the second half Haggerty put the finishing touches on the game with another goal at the 61:59 mark. This goal was assisted by Ignacio Cervantes, who played a ball over the top of the Pride defense and onto Haggerty's foot.
The match was a physical one as both teams were whistled for 14 fouls. The game was also evenly played as Regis outshot the Mountaineers 18-16, and the corner kicks were even at one.
Southern Vermont will be right back on the pitch tomorrow afternoon when they host Wheaton College. The Pride will take on Johnson and Wales Wednesday evening at 6:00PM.