FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 22, 2013
Courtesy of Southern New Hampshire Athletics Communications
ERIE, Pa. – Sophomore Dominic Samuel scored twice and senior Pierre Omanga added a late insurance goal as No. 2 seed Southern New Hampshire University rallied past top-seeded LIU Post, 3-1, Friday morning in the East Region final of the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship at Mercyhurst University.
The Penmen, who are ranked No. 1 in the latest NSCAA national poll, advance to the NCAA quarterfinals Sunday and improve to 20-1, while the Pioneers see their season come to a close at 18-2-2.
So. New Hampshire now faces Mercyhurst University in a national quarterfinal Sunday at Mercyhurst, as the Lakers topped Millersville University 3-1 in the Atlantic Region final Friday. It marks a rematch of last year's quarterfinal won by the Lakers 2-1 at Larkin Field. The Penmen are making their fourth quarterfinal appearance in the last five years.
Southern New Hampshire found itself in unfamiliar territory early as the Pioneers struck first in the 23rd minute. After a series of connecting passes, Matias Ruiz played a short cross to the far left post to Per Forgaard, who headed it home for his second goal of the season. It marked the first time the Penmen had trailed in a game since October 16 at Saint Michael's, an eventual 5-1 win, and just the third time So. New Hampshire had trailed all season.
The LIU Post lead was short-lived, as Samuel tied the game at the 24:55 mark. Jonathan Lupinelli played a left-to-right corner kick into the box that Samuel headed home for his second goal of the season. The game remained tied 1-1 at halftime.
Samuel struck again on another corner kick 4:15 into the second half, heading home a right-to-left corner kick from Christian Rodriguez. Just over a minute later, Mohamed Toufik nearly made it 3-1, but his uncontested attempt rang off the crossbar.
Omanga recorded his 20th goal of the season with 1:26 remaining. After taking a pass from Miguel Carneiro, Omanga found himself alone with Pioneer keeper Marco Jorgensen, who had come out to play Omanga. Jorgensen was able to get a hand on Omanga's long-range attempt, but it found the back of the net to seal the win for So. New Hampshire.
Dom DiMaggio made a pair of saves for So. New Hampshire en route to the victory, while Jorgensen turned aside 11 shots as the Penmen outshot the Pioneers 21-7. So. New Hampshire also generated an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks on the afternoon.
