RUTLAND—College of St. Joseph’s men’s soccer team has earned an at-large bid to play in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Tournament. The tournament will be held Nov.10-14 in Virginia Beach, Va.
The Fighting Saints enter the tournament as the 12th seed, coming in with a 12-6 overall record on the season and an 8-1 conference record. After losing in the first round of the Yankee Small College Conference Tournament to Southern Maine CC, the Saints earned an at-large bid to the National Tournament due to their stellar play in the regular season.
CSJ will be dealt a tough task, as they take on top-seeded University of Maine at Fort Kent on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 4 p.m. to open the tournament.
The Saints faced the Fort Kent Bengals earlier in the season, losing to them in a one-sided affair 0-4. CSJ will look to redeem themselves with an upset victory, but it will not come easily, as the Bengals have gone a perfect 18-0 throughout the year and have shown virtually no weaknesses.
The Saints are led in scoring by Dominick Simpson, who has 15 goals on the season and 33 points. He also led the team in total shots with 52. Helder and Keven Andrade each led the team in assists with eight apiece.
Kyle Milligan has been a force as the starting goalkeeper for CSJ all year long. He has 64 saves on the season and an impressive 1.10 goals-against average. Milligan has also performed eight shutouts, making him one of the elite goalkeepers in the entire USCAA.