Knights soccer #6 national seed, opens tournament play November 12th
The Region 21 and Northeast District champion Northern Essex Community College men’s soccer team was named the sixth seed in the upcoming national tournament as announced today by the NJCAA Soccer Committee.
Haverhill, MA (November 5, 2024) – The Region 21 and Northeast District champion Northern Essex Community College men's soccer team was named the sixth seed in the upcoming national tournament as announced today by the NJCAA Soccer Committee. The Knights who enter the tournament with a 14-2 overall record and winners of 14 straight, will take on third seeded Mohawk Valley Community College on Tuesday November 12th at 6:30pm on the campus of Genesee Community College in Batavia, NY
The Knights are making their first national tournament appearance in school history as the program was reestablished in 2019 following more than a 20-year hiatus. The tournament field also includes the six-time defending national champion Dallas College Richland who earned the top seed, followed by Nassau Community College earning the second seed. The fourth and fifth seeds went to Camden County College and Finger Lakes Community College. The eight-team field was rounded out by Joliet Junior College and Raritan Valley Community College.
The opening round winners will advance to the national semi-finals on November 15th while the non-advancing team will play in the consolation round on November 14th. The national championship and third place games are set for Sunday November 17th.
NECC will enter the national tournament leading the nation in shots per game with 24.4, while their 65 goals scored and 174 points on the season both rank fifth among teams in the tournament field.
Jadiel Bomfim (Nashua, NH) leads the Knights offense with 37 points on the season with 15 goals and seven assists. Sam Lucena (Tyngsborough) (11 goals and four assists) and Christian Colem (Nashua, NH) (seven goals and 11 assists) follow closely behind with 26 and 25 points respectively on the season.
Jonathan Lopes (Nashua, NH) anchors a backline in front of goalkeeper Will Paganini (Derry, NH) which has held the opposition to just 12 goals on the season in 16 games played.
All games of the tournament are available live on the NJCAA Network.
Tournament Seeding:
1. Dallas College-Richland
2. Nassau Community College
3. Mohawk Valley Community College
4. Camden County College
5. Finger Lakes Community College
6. Northern Essex Community College
7. Joliet Junior College
8. Raritan Valley Community College
National Quarterfinals – Tuesday November 12th
#1 Dallas College vs. #8 Raritan Valley 11:00am
#4 Camden County vs. #5 Finger Lakes 1:30pm
#2 Nassau vs. #7 Joliet 4:00pm
#3 Mohawk Valley vs. #6 NECC 6:30pm