Haverhill, MA (October 31, 2025) – The Northern Essex Community College men's soccer team survived a wild game Friday night, while never trailing in the Region 21 semi-final contest against, the Knights survived a valiant effort from Springfield Tech and advanced to Sunday's championship game with a 4-3 result. Sunday's championship game will be the third straight appearance for NECC as they are looking for a second straight championship.

The Knights will host Bristol Community College at 5:00pm on Sunday at Whittier Tech, the winner will advance to the NJCAA National Tournament scheduled to begin on Tuesday November 11^th at Herkimer College in Herkimer, NY.

NECC jumped out to an early 2-0 lead as Gabriel DosReis (Somerville) got the Knights on the board in the 9^th minute as he took a pass from Maxim Chriss (Lexington) and beat the outstretched keeper to the corner to open the games scoring.

Christian Colem (Nashua, NH) gave the Knights a two-goal advantage in the 25^th minute as he took a free kick from 20 yards out and tucked the ball into the upper ninety passed the outstretched keeper.

The two goal lead would stand for less than 10 minutes as STCC would get on the board off of a corner kicker and the Knights took a 2-1 lead into halftime.

In the 58^th minute, DoesReis would add his second of the game, grabbing a deflected shot from a teammate at the top of the box and drilling it past the keeper to give the Knights back their two goal lead.

Springfield responded to get back within one six minutes later before the Knights responded with what would be the game winner just 90 seconds later when Ilembo Kiza (Lowell) took a ball that Colem sent in from the midfield line, and lofted it over the keep from 25 yards out.

The Rams would respond once again in the 73^rd minute to make the game 4-3, but the Knights defense would hold its ground for the remaining 17 minutes to secure the win.

Dylan Gavin (Methuen) recorded five saves in the game for the Knights.