The men’s soccer team at Dean College is preparing for their first district playoffs in eight years after winning the NJCAA Region XXI championship game this past weekend at Massasoit Community College. Dean College will travel to New Rochelle, New York this Saturday, November 3^rd, to take on undefeated #2 in the nation Monroe Community College in the first round of the district championships.

“On paper, we understand we may be the underdogs, playing an undefeated team who is ranked 2^nd in the nation,” said Head Coach Jim Hopkins. “Luckily, soccer is not a game played on paper and our expectation is to do whatever it takes to win Saturday and play for the District Championship on Sunday.” 

In the Region XXI championship game, hosted by Massasoit Community in Brockton, the Dean Bulldogs played a poor first half, but finished with a flourish.   Down 2-0 at the half, Dean scored three unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead.  Massasoit tied the score at 3 with seven seconds remaining in the game, but Dean’s Greg Smedberg scored the game-winner in the first overtime to send Dean to its first regional championship since 2003.

Things do not get any easier in the first round of the districts this Saturday as the Bulldogs will face Monroe (Rochester, NY) Community College, who are currently ranked second in the latest NJCAA poll.  The other semifinal pits the host college, Monroe (New Rochelle, NY) College against Mercer (Trenton, NJ) County College, a perennial soccer powerhouse.  The winners will meet on Sunday at Monroe’s New Rochelle campus, with the winner moving on to the NJCAA national tournament at Darton College, November 12-17.

Regardless of the outcome this weekend, Coach Hopkins couldn’t be more proud of his team.

“The sophomores on this team have been fantastic leaders throughout the year and they understand the little things that can make a difference between a 12-4 season and an 8-8 season,” said Hopkins.  “This is a special group of kids that honestly care for each other on and off the field, and I am very proud and fortunate to be a part of their lives.”

NJCAA Northeast District Playoff

@ Monroe College – November 3-4, 2012

(schedule breakdown continued below)

Semifinals:

10:00am           Monroe College (9-3) vs Mercer County College (9-7-1)

1:00 pm            Dean College (12-4-2) vs Monroe Community College (15-0)

Championship

11:00am