Markopolous chosen as a member of NSCAA First-Team
All-NSCAA Team
PAXTON, Mass. –Anna Maria College senior George Markopoulos (Worcester, Mass.) continued to compile the accolades when he was selected as a member of the 2009 National Soccer Coaches Association of America Men's NCAA Division III All-New England Region West First Team this week.
Markopoulos has enjoyed many honors for his terrific senior campaign, including becoming the first AMC player to be named The Commonwealth Coast Conference Men’s Soccer Player of the Year after leading all TCCC players during conference play with 11 goals and 22 points in just 13 games. In addition, George also became the first AMCAT ever to be selected as an ECAC All-Star.
George finished the season with a total of 15 goals and 32 points in just 20 games. In the process, the senior forward set the AMC program record for career goals with 37 and finished second all-time in career points with 80. He had two hat-tricks, five multi-goal matches, and four game-winning goals, while finishing with an impressive .654 shot on goal percentage.
Most importantly, Markopoulos led Anna Maria to one of their finest seasons in program history, finishing with an impressive 11-9 overall record, tying the program’s single season mark for wins in a season, while advancing to the semifinal round of the ECAC Tournament. The AMCATS also finished 6-7 in the TCCC, setting a program record for most conference victories in a season. |
Markopoulos selected as ECAC All-Star
 George becomes AMC's first ECAC All-Star
ECAC All-Stars
PAXTON, Mass. – After a record-setting season, Anna Maria College senior George Markopoulos (Worcester, Mass.) was selected as a member of the 2009 Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III Men’s Soccer Second Team All-Stars. It is the first time in program history that an AMCAT has received this honor.
Markopoulos had a fantastic senior season, becoming the first AMC player to be named The Commonwealth Coast Conference Men’s Soccer Player of the Year after leading all TCCC players during conference play with 11 goals and 22 points in just 13 games.
Overall on the season, the senior forward totaled 15 goals and 32 points in 20 games. In the process, George set the AMC program record for career goals with 37 and finished second all-time in career points with 80. He had two hat-tricks, five multi-goal matches, and four game-winning goals, while finishing with an impressive .654 shot on goal percentage. The elusive goal scorer did all this while facing constant double, and sometimes, triple-teams from the opposition.
Markopoulos helped lead Anna Maria to an impressive 11-9 overall record, tying the program’s single season mark for wins in a season. The AMCATS also finished 6-7 in the TCCC, setting a program record for most conference victories in a season.
Photo Courtesy of David Sheridan for AMC Sports Information
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AMCATS score big for soccer success
 The AMCATS set a program record for wins
By Jay Gearan CORRESPONDENT
PAXTON — No matter how far the team goes in the postseason, the 2009 Anna Maria College men’s soccer team has already made school history.
Coached by Ralph Kay, the AMCATS tied the program record with 11 wins and set the program mark with six conference victories while advancing to semifinal tournament play.
“We have a lot of pride on this team,” said Kay. “We’ve made some great strides in the program.”
In the ECAC New England Division 3 Tournament quarterfinals against Westfield State, the AMCATS scored the opening two goals, led 3-1 at the half and stayed ahead until the final second, winning 3-2 and upping their overall record to 11-8.
Said Kay, “In the second half, both teams were playing a man down, and it was real, hard physical soccer, but we just really concentrated on protecting our net and playing defensive-minded. Plus, our goalie, Eric Perkins, played so well.”
For Anna Maria against Westfield State, Joshua Bernardo from Peabody scored in the third minute, and Enco Lika from Worcester made it 2-0, assisted by George Markopoulos in the sixth minute.
Justin Hyland of Leicester made it 3-1 in the 40th minute, converting a pass from Markopoulos.
Markopoulos, a team captain from Worcester, senior forward and 2008 Commonwealth Coast Conference Men’s Soccer Player of the Year, turned in another fine season for the AMCATS.
He and junior goalkeeper Perkins from Peabody both had strong seasons that saw them set AMC records. Markopoulos set the program’s all-time record for career goals with 37, and finished second in career points with 78. His 15 goals this year tie him for the second most in a season by any AMC player, and his 30 points place him third. He also had three goals and six points in a game twice this year, records in both categories since the stats were kept in 2003.
Perkins, too, had a terrific year in net for the AmCats, setting the program record for wins in a season with nine. The junior goalkeeper earned the win in net during all six of AMC’s conference victories this year, also a program record. Perkins finished the regular season with a 9-6 record, a goals against average of 1.77, 97 saves, and two shutouts.
The AMCATS put together a couple of key three-game win streaks in September and October, defeating Emerson, Colby-Sawyer and Becker in succession and following the next month with wins over Mass. Maritime, University of New England and Wentworth.
Goalkeeper Perkins was a key player for the squad this season, rejecting more than 100 shots extending through the playoffs. He quietly gained the confidence of his coaches and the admiration of his teammates.
Said Kay, “Our goalkeeping really came out of nowhere. We weren’t sure if we had a strong keeper, and then along comes Eric, and what a season he had. And I really have to credit my assistant coach Scott Laine with helping make Eric stronger with each game. They both worked very hard all season long.”
Kay, who had coached the women’s soccer team at Anna Maria since 2004, shifted to the men this fall. Prior to joining Anna Maria, he was the head boys’ soccer coach at David Prouty High School in Spencer, leading the Prouty team to a State Division II championship in 1998. Kay also won Coach of the Year honors. During his very successful career at David Prouty, he compiled an amazing 111-15-8 record. Before his success with the boys, he was the girls’ head soccer coach at Prouty from 1991-1996.
A Nichols College graduate and East Brookfield resident, Kay earned his NSCAA National Diploma in 1993. He lives in East Brookfield.
Release Courtesy of Jay Gearan for The Worcester T&G
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Richmond's late score sinks AMCATS, 1-0
 Perkins had six saves in the Semifinal match
Box Score
BOSTON, Mass. – Junior forward Elliott Richmond (Amherst, Mass.) scored the game’s only goal, coming with 5:36 remaining in regulation as the Wentworth Institute of Technology men’s soccer team advanced to the championship game of the 2009 ECAC Division III New England Men’s Soccer Tournament with a 1-0 win over Anna Maria.
The top-seeded and host Leopards came out firing, putting a pair of shots on goal in the opening 2:19 and had a third deflected out of bounds by a defender. However, junior keeper Eric Perkins (Peabody, Mass.) came up with a pair of saves and added a third at the 2:59 mark.
Wentworth continued to carry play, taking an early, 8-0 shot advantage and holding the AMCATS without a shot for the first 20:20. However, the Leopards were unable to find the back of the net. At the end of the first half Wentworth held a 15-2 shot advantage and an 8-1 corner advantage.
The Leopards came out of the break the same way they went into it and had four early shots, none of which were on target. Anna Maria had a chance to go ahead in the 72nd minute but a header was saved by junior keeper Brian Pearsall (Sanford, Maine).
Sophomore Patrick Platner (Northford, Conn.) converted a throw-in to Richmond, who would take a shot from 25 yards out. Perkins made the initial save, but the ball deflected off of him into the back of the net.
Anna Maria had one final attempt, but a shot in the waning seconds of the game went left of the goal.
Pearsall made three saves to pick up his sixth shutout of the season. Perkins made six saves for the AMCATS. Wentworth held a 23-7 shot advantage and a 13-1 advantage on corner kicks.
With the win Wentworth improves to 14-8 and will play for the ECAC Championship tomorrow, marking the second time in three seasons the Leopards have advanced to the title game. Ana Maria sees its season end at 11-9.
Release Courtesy of Wentworth Sports Information |
AMCATS advance to ECAC Semifinals with 3-2 win
 Hyland scored the game-winning goal
Box Score
WESTFIELD, Mass. – Anna Maria jumped out to 3-1 halftime lead and held on for a 3-2 victory over Westfield State in an ECAC New England Division III men’s soccer tournament quarterfinal game on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 11.
Anna Maria boosted its record to 11-8 and advances to the semi-finals, where it will play either No. 1 seed Wentworth or Lesley. Westfield finishes with a 9-9-2 record after starting the season 0-4-1.
Anna Maria led 2-0 six minutes into the game. Joshua Bernardo (Peabody) scored in the third minute and three minutes later Enco Lika (Worcester) scored with an assist from George Markopoulos (Worcester).
Westfield cut the lead in half on a goal by sophomore Josh Severns (Suffield, Conn.) in the 17th minute; Tim Parsons (Buzzards Bay) was credited with the assist.
Justin Hyland (Leicester) scored the game-winning goal in the 40th minute, with Markopoulos recording his second assist.
Anna Maria controlled the first half, out-shooting Westfield, 12-3, but the host squad picked up the pace in the second half.
The Owls, who out-shot Anna Maria, 15-8 in the second half, applied constant offensive pressure for most of the final 20 minutes.
Westfield sophomore Justin Laliberte (Easthampton) scored with 2:39 left in regulation when he hammered in a rebound off a wicked shot by Sam LaBonte (Westhampton) that hit the left post.
The Owls continued their assault and nearly scored with just under a minute remaining when Josh Silvia (South Windsor, Conn.) ripped a shot from 20 yards just under the crossbar. But Anna Maria goalie Eric Perkins (Peabody) made an outstanding save in re-directing the shot over the crossbar.
Perkins had seven saves, including six in the second half.
Anna Maria will play the winner of #1 Wentworth and #8 Lesley on Saturday in the Semifinal round of the ECAC Tournament.
Release Courtesy of Westfield State Sports Information |
AMCATS earn fifth seed in ECAC Tournament
 AMC is 1 win shy of tying the program record
ECAC Tournament Bracket
CAPE COD, Mass. – The Anna Maria College men’s soccer team was selected as the fifth seed in the 2009 ECAC Division III New England Men’s Soccer Championship presented by FieldTurf®. The tournament is an eight-team field with quarterfinal, semifinal and championship rounds.
In the first round contests on Wednesday, November 11, Wentworth (12-8-0) will host Lesley University (15-4-2) at 6:00 p.m. while the second seed Castleton State College (10-7-3)will face No. 7 Norwich University (10-7-2) at 4:00 p.m., at Castleton State. The number three seed, Plymouth State University (9-8-0), plays Daniel Webster College (12-5-0) at 4:00 p.m. at Plymouth State and Westfield State College (9-8-2) will take on Anna Maria College (10-8-0) at 2:00 p.m. in the No. 4/No. 5 match-up at Westfield State.
The first-round winners will advance to play in the semifinal matches that will take place on Saturday, November 14. The winner of Wentworth/Lesley will face the winner of Westfield State/Anna Maria in one semifinal, and the winner of Castleton State/Norwich will play the winner of Plymouth State/Daniel Webster. The semifinal winners will meet Sunday, November 15. The times of the semifinal and final games will be released once the quarterfinal games have concluded. All semifinal and final games will take place at the site of the highest remaining seed after Wednesday’s quarterfinal games.
2009 ECAC Division III New England Men’s Soccer Championship
First Round – Wednesday, November 11
No. 8 Lesley (15-4-2) at No. 1 Wentworth (12-8-0), 6:00 p.m.
No. 7 Norwich (10-7-2) at No. 2 Castleton State (10-7-3), 4:00 p.m.
No. 6 Daniel Webster (12-5-0) at No. 3 Plymouth State (9-8-0), 4:00 p.m.
No. 5 Anna Maria (10-8-0) at No. 4 Westfield State (9-8-2), 2:00 p.m.
Semifinals – Saturday, November 14 at highest remaining seed after quarterfinal games
No. 1 Wentworth/No. 8 Lesley vs. No. 4 Westfield State/No. 5 Anna Maria, TBA
No. 2 Castleton State/No. 7 Norwich vs. No. 3 Plymouth State/No. 6 Daniel Webster, TBA
Championship – Sunday, November 15 at highest remaining seed after quarterfinal games
Two Semifinal Winners, TBA
Release Courtesy of the ECAC
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AMCATS complete record-setting year
 Perkins set the program record for wins
PAXTON, Mass. -- The Anna Maria College men’s soccer team completed their 2009 season on Wednesday with a 2-1 double-overtime victory over Endicott College on Senior Day at AMCAT Field. Although the club finished one spot out of the playoffs, the AMCATS had a very successful season which saw them set several program records.
Anna Maria finished the season with the second highest win total in the program’s history, going 10-8 overall. Only the 1993 team, which went 11-8, had more victories in a single season. The team also set the program record for conference victories, finishing with a 6-7 record in The Commonwealth Coast Conference.
Senior Captain George Markopoulos (Worcester, Mass.) and junior goalkeeper Eric Perkins (Peabody, Mass.) each had strong seasons which saw them set AMC records. Markopoulos set the program’s all-time record for career goals with 37, and finished second in career points with 78. His 15 goals this year tie him for the second most in a season by any AMC player, and his 30 points place him third. George also had three goals and six points in a game twice this year, records in both categories since the stats were kept in 2003.
Perkins had a terrific year in net for the AMCATS, setting the program record for wins in a season with nine. The junior goalkeeper earned the win in net during all six of AMC’s conference victories this year, also a program record. Perkins finished the year with a 9-6 record, a goals against average of 1.77, 97 saves, and two shutouts. |
Nickerson earns TCCC Rookie of the Week Award
 Nickerson helped AMC set a program record
TCCC Weekly Awards
PAXTON, Mass. -- Anna Maria College freshman midfielder Robert Nickerson (Boylston, Mass.) was selected as The Commonwealth Coast Conference Men’s Soccer Rookie of the Week, as announced by Conference Commissioner Gregg Kaye on Monday afternoon.
The AMCATS had just one game last week, but Nickerson made the most of the opportunity. He scored the game-tying goal in the 84th minute on a 35-yard blast that sent the match into overtime. Nickerson then scored the game-winner in double-overtime on a header off of a corner kick in the 105th minute of play.
In sparking the AMCATS to the 2-1 victory over Endicott, Nickerson helped the club set a new program record for conference wins in a season with 6.
Nickerson finishes his fine freshman campaign with nine points on four goals and an assist, while also notching two game-winning scores. |
Markopoulos named TCCC Player of the Year
 George had a program-record 37 career goals
All-TCCC Awards
PAXTON, Mass. – Anna Maria College senior George Markopoulos (Worcester, Mass.) was selected as The Commonwealth Coast Conference Men’s Soccer Player of the Year as announced by Conference Commissioner Gregg Kaye on Friday evening. In addition, he was voted as a member of the All-TCCC First Team.
Markopoulos had an outstanding year, leading all players during conference play with 11 goals and 22 points in just 13 games. Overall on the season, the senior forward totaled 15 goals and 30 points in 18 games. In the process, George set the AMC program record for career goals with 37 and finished second all-time in career points with 78. He had two hat-tricks, five multi-goal matches, and four game-winning goals, while finishing with an impressive .654 shot on goal percentage. The elusive goal scorer did all this while facing constant double, and sometimes, triple-teams from the opposition.
Markopoulos helped lead Anna Maria to an impressive 10-8 overall record, finishing just one win shy of the program’s single season mark. The AMCATS finished 6-7 in the TCCC, setting a program record for the most conference victories in a season.
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Nickerson lifts AMCATS to 2-1 win on Senior Day
 Nickerson scored the game-winner in 2OT
Box Score
PAXTON, Mass. – On Senior Day at AMCAT Field it was a freshman who grabbed the spotlight, as Robert Nickerson (Boylston, Mass.) scored two goals, including the game-winner in double overtime, to lift the Anna Maria College men’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Endicott College. With the win, the AMCATS close out the season with a record of 10-8 overall and 6-7 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Endicott loss knocks the Gulls out of the playoffs, as they fall to 7-10 on the season and 6-7 in the TCCC.
Seniors Michael Allard (Monson, Mass.), Armen Billian (Worcester, Mass.), Robert Delaney (Middleboro, Mass.), George Markopoulos (Worcester, Mass.), Matthew McKillop (Woburn, Mass.), and Michael Schofield (Auburn, Mass.) were each honored for all their contributions to Anna Maria Athletics as part of the Senior Day festivities before the start of their final match.
Both teams appeared evenly matched in the first period, as each club recorded five total shots including four on goal.
The Gulls broke through first on a goal by freshman Colin Doody (Wethersfield, MA) in the 33rd minute of play. Doody got behind the AMC defense and collected a beautiful 50-yard pass from junior Bryan Lee (Rockport, MA) before finding the back of the net to give the Gulls a 1-0 lead.
Endicott took the 1-0 lead into halftime while also holding a 6-1 advantage in corners. The Gulls were led by four shots and a goal from Doody, while Enco Lika (Worcester, Mass.) paced the AMCATS with three shots.
With time running out and the AMCATS still trailing by one, AMC freshman Robert Nickerson (Boylston, Mass.) blasted a shot from 35 yards out and deposited it in the top shelf to tie the match, 1-1, with just six minutes remaining.
The match went into overtime with the score still knotted at one goal apiece. Through regulation the Gulls held a 15-10 advantage in shots and an 11-4 edge in corner kicks.
The first overtime was uneventful, with neither team earning a scoring opportunity.
The AMCATS, however, came roaring out of the gates in the second overtime. Freshman Enco Lika nearly ended the match just three minutes into the fourth period when his free-kick barely sailed over the cross bar.
Anna Maria kept the pressure on and earned a corner kick in the 105th minute. Lika sent a nicely placed ball in front of the net where it was headed off the cross bar. Nickerson jumped for the rebound and headed into the goal for his second tally of the game, giving the AMCATS the thrilling 2-1 victory. |
Penalty-kicks do-in AMCATS, 3-1
Box Score
PAXTON, Mass. – The Western New England men’s soccer team defeated Anna Maria, 3-1, at AMCAT Field in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference match on a drizzly Saturday evening. The Golden Bears improve to 12-5-2 (9-2-1 TCCC), while the loss drops the AMCATS to 9-8 (5-7 TCCC).
In a must win game to keep their playoff hopes alive, the AMCATS fell behind early in the first half. Anna Maria managed only two shots in the period compared to Western New England’s 10.
The Golden Bears struck first on a howitzer from 10 yards out off the foot of senior Jason Sabia (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) to grab a 1-0 lead.
WNEC scored again after an AMC foul inside the box led to a Tony Rosa penalty kick. Rosa (Ludlow, Mass.) capitalized on the opportunity, depositing the ball in the lower right corner of the net for a 2-0 lead.
Erik Perkins (Peabody, Mass.) did his best to deflect the offensive pressure and keep the AMCATS in the match, making six saves in the frame, as the score remained 2-0 at intermission.
Within the first five minutes of the second half, Anna Maria committed another foul that led to a Western New England penalty kick. Junior Justin Martins (Ludlow, Mass.) took advantage, giving WNEC a 3-0 advantage on the nicely placed shot.
Anna Maria chipped into the lead in the 79th minute, when Enco Lika (Worcester, Mass.) gathered a loose ball on the 25-yard line and blasted a low-liner into the bottom right corner of the net.
The AMCATS nearly cut the lead to one when an Enco Lika free-kick set up a Michael Allard (Monson, Mass.) header that sailed just high over the net.
Although Anna Maria played a much better second half, the 3-0 lead Western New England built over the first 45 minutes proved to be insurmountable. Anna Maria tripled their shout output in the second-half with six, while WNEC kept their offensive pace the same with nine-shots. Eric Perkins played admiral in the contest, making multiple sprawling saves while recording eight total stops in the losing effort.
Anna Maria hosts Endicott on Senior Day, October 27th at 4:00 p.m., while Western New England continues TCCC at University of New England, October 28th at 6:30 p.m.
Release Courtesy of Jeffrey S. Lander
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Starace leads Seahawks past AMCATS, 2-0
Box Score
NEWPORT, R.I. – Sophomore Max Starace (Fort Lee, N.J.) scored his first two goals of the season and senior goalkeeper Kurt Ginthwain (Tolland, Conn.) made two saves as the Salve Regina University men’s soccer team blanked Anna Maria College 2-0 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) action Tuesday afternoon at Reynolds Field.
The win extends the Seahawks (9-5-1, 7-3-1 TCCC) unbeaten streak to four matches and lifts their all-time record against the AMCATS (9-7, 5-6 TCCC) to 25-2-1.
Starace’s first goal of the season at 28:34 proved to be the only goal the Seahawks would need on the afternoon. Sophomore Tony Lania (Concord, Mass.) possessed the ball inside the box and slid a pass a feet to his left to Starace, who deposited the ball past junior goalkeeper Eric Perkins (Peabody, Mass.). His second of the afternoon came at 70:13 when sophomore Sean McAllister (North Arlington, N.J.) send a corner kick into the box that he headed into the net.
The Seahawks outshot the AMCATS 23-6 on the afternoon and held a 6-3 edge in corner kicks. Perkins recorded seven saves to fall to 8-5-0 on the season.
Salve Regina returns to action on Thursday when it hosts Mitchell College at 3:30 p.m. The AMCATS host Western New England on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Release Courtesy of Salve Regina Sports Information |
Markopoulos scores twice to lead AMCATS to 2-1 win
 Markopoulos had two unassisted goals
Box Score
Weston, Mass.—Regis College (4-11, 2-8 TCCC) dropped its homecoming match 2-1 to Anna Maria (9-6, 5-5 TCCC) Saturday. Wade Thongsythavong (Salem, Mass.) took just 3:00 to score the Pride’s first and only goal.
Thongsythavong scored from just within the box with his left foot. Teammate Shawn McDonough (Framingham, Mass.) assisted on the score.
A physical game continued for 41 minutes while Regis held the lead. Anna Maria’s George Markopoulos scored the AMCats first goal in the 44th minute. His two scores on the night, the second being at 72:32, would both go unassisted.
Accuracy played a huge role in the AMCats strategy. Taking 16 shots total, 13 were on goal for Anna Maria. Regis managed just five and three respectively.
Pride keeper Andrew LaMacchia (Lynn, Mass.) was credited with 11 saves, but that number speaks little to the dramatic effort of the saves. Anna Maria’s Justin Hyland took a shot with his left foot, hitting just inside the right post.
His shot would rebound to the feet of Markopoulous, who would shoot with his right foot, but the fingertips of LaMacchia snagged a sure goal for Anna Maria.
Regis will play out its season on the road, with its next match versus The Commonwealth Coast Conference opponent Western New England Oct. 20. Anna Maria heads to Salve Regina.
Release Courtesy of Regis Sports Information
Picture Courtesy of David Sheridan |
Colonels hold off AMCATS for 2-1 victory
 McKillop brought AMC back with a late goal
Box Score
PAXTON, Mass. – The Curry College men’s soccer team defeated Anna Maria College, 2-1, at AMCAT Field in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference match on a frigid Wednesday night. The Colonels improve to 9-4-1 (7-2 TCCC), while the loss drops the AMCATS to 8-6 (4-5 TCCC).
In an always important conference game, both teams came rearing out of the gates in the first-half. The game went into intermission scoreless, however, both teams had their share of scoring opportunities.
Curry looked to get on the board early in the half on a Brandon Martins (Attleboro, Mass.) shot, but an Anna Maria team save foiled the Colonels opportunity. Justin Hyland (Leicester, Mass.) also sought to break the shutout, however Curry made a team save of their own to end the scoring threat.
Anna Maria had another scoring chance in the 33rd minute when Enco Lika (Worcester, Mass.) split two Curry defenders and blasted a shot that sailed just high over the crossbar.
Anna Maria held a 9-5 advantage in shots at the half, while Eric Perkins (Peabody, Mass) added two saves for the AMCATS and Brian Newsome (Lawrenceville, N.J.) turned away two shots for the visitors.
Curry struck first in the second half during the 50th minute on a Brandon Martins goal. Initially Devin Sadlers’ (Somerset, Mass.) assist looked like it was going to get reversed on an off-side call, however, the judges convened and discharged the penalty, giving the Colonels the first goal of the contest.
Curry scored again on a Brandon Martins pass to Devin Sadlers that was just out of the reach of sprawling goaltender Eric Perkins. After Perkins could not come up with the pass, Sadlers buried the ball in the back of the empty net.
Anna Maria wouldn’t go quietly, as senior Matthew McKillop (Woburn, Mass.) broke the shutout with a nicely placed chip shot that barely squeezed between the crossbar and goaltender Brian Newsome.
With time running out, Anna Maria nearly tied the game on a two-on-one fast beak opportunity. Justin Hyland deked the lone defender on the near side, but his pass was too far behind an open George Markopoulos (Worcester, Mass.) in front of the net.
Anna Maria once again outshot the Colonels during the half (7-5) and held a 16-10 shot advantage for the game. Curry goaltender Brian Newsome was up to the challenge, making six total saves, including four in the second half, to help the Colonels hold on for the 2-1 victory.
Anna Maria continues TCCC play at Regis October 17th at 4:00 p.m., while Curry battles Endicott at home on October 17th at 5:00 p.m.
Release Courtesy of Jeffrey S. Lander for AMC Sports Information |
AMCATS fall to Bison in overtime, 2-1
 Powell's goal sent the match into overtime
Box Score
DUDLEY, Mass. (Oct. 10) – Junior Mark Capitanio (Mansfield, Mass.) scored in the 99th minute to lift the Nichols College men’s soccer team to a 2-1 overtime victory over visiting Anna Maria College Saturday afternoon in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference game. Capitanio added an assist in the game to lead the Bison to an 8-5 overall record and a 4-4 mark in conference play. The AMCATS level out at 4-4 in TCCC games and dip to 8-5 overall after seeing their three-game win streak snapped.
Matt Nash (W. Springfield, Mass.) cut in the middle of the field and passed the ball past an Anna Maria defender to Capitanio, who hit the back of the net in the far left corner for the game-winner at 98:03 and his sixth goal of the season.
Tim Howard (Paxton, Mass.) converted a pass from Capitanio in the 36th minute to give the Bison the lead and to put an end to AMCATS’ keeper Eric Perkins’ (Peabody, Mass.) shutout streak that spanned more than 236 minutes over four games.
A throw-in play by the visiting AMCATS got past Nichols keeper Brendan Hamilton (No. Attleboro, Mass.) late in the game as Michael Powell (Salem, Mass.) knotted it up in the 83rd minute.
Hamilton made four second half saves while Perkins stopped five through regulation – two in the first half and three in the second.
Nichols is back in action at Western New England College on Wednesday, October 14th at 3:30 p.m. to start off a two-game TCCC road trip. Anna Maria hosts Curry in a 4 p.m. TCCC game Wednesday.
Release Courtesy of Nichols Sports Information |
Markopoulos sets mark as AMCATS blank Leopards, 2-0
 Markopoulos set the program record for goals
Box Score
PAXTON, Mass. – Senior George Markopoulos (Worcester, Mass.) scored twice, breaking Anna Maria College’s all-time record for goals, while also leading the AMCATS to a 2-0 victory in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference matchup at AMCATS Field on Tuesday afternoon. The always-important conference win improves the AMCATS to 8-4 overall and 4-3 in the TCCC. The loss drops the Leopards to 4-5 overall, while evening their conference mark at 3-3.
Markopoulos wasted little time in breaking the AMC record, scoring the historic goal just 3:06 into the game. George received a nice lead pass before losing a defender and delivering a shot into the lower left side of the net. It was Markopoulos’ 34th career goal, breaking Sean McDonald’s previous mark of 33 goals set in 1994.
Markopoulos was back at it again just over 12 minutes later. Senior Michael Schofield (Auburn, Mass.) delivered a beautiful chip pass over the defense, setting up Markopoulos who lofted a shot over the head of the goalie and into the left side of the net, putting the AMCATS ahead, 2-0.
It looked like the Leopards would cut the lead to one before the half when freshman Aaron Mackey struck a solid shot that appeared destined for a goal. AMC goaltender Eric Perkins (Peabody, Mass.) was up to the challenge, making a terrific sprawling save to preserve the two-goal advantage.
Although the AMCATS held the 2-0 lead at half, it was the Leopards who had the edge in shots (10-5) and corners (1-0).
The Leopards continued to apply the offensive pressure in the second half, doubling-up the AMCATS 12-6 in shots during the period. Still, Wentworth was unable to get anything past Perkins who collected 10 saves on the day while earning his second-consecutive shutout.
Both teams will return to action on Saturday when they continue TCCC play on the road. The Leopards will play Western New England College at 11:00 am, while the AMCATS will face Nichols College at noon. |
Markopoulos ties AMC's career mark for goals
 Markopoulos ties record with 33rd career goal
TCCC Men's Soccer Leaders
PAXTON, Mass. – Anna Maria College senior George Markopoulos (Worcester, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal versus the University of New England on Saturday, vaulting him into a tie for the program’s all-time career goals record. Markopoulos now has 33 goals in his outstanding AMC career, tying Sean McDonald's previous mark.
Markopoulos, AMC’s reigning Male Athlete of the Year, has had a phenomenal first half of the 2009 season. He currently leads The Commonwealth Coast Conference with 11 goals and 22 points through his first 11 games. He has been incredibly accurate and efficient with his shots, sporting a .344 shot percentage and a .719 shot-on-goal percentage.
Needless to say, George has been a big part of the AMCATS early success this season. The team is currently 7-4 overall and 3-3 in the conference. The battle for a playoff spot will heat up over the next few weeks, as the AMCATS play seven-straight conference games to close out the season.
George will look to break the program’s all-time record Tuesday at home versus the Wentworth Institute of Technology in an important TCCC matchup.
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Perkins, AMCATS shutout Nor'easters, 2-0
 Perkins had 9 saves to improve to 6-2
Box Score
BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Anna Maria College scored in the first and last minute of the opening period and held the University of New England scoreless for the second time in as many games for a 2-0 The Commonwealth Coast Conference victory in men's soccer action Saturday afternoon.
The AMCATS (7-4) evened their conference mark at 3-3 with the win. The Nor'easters fall to 7-3 overall (4-2 TCCC) with their second straight loss.
Senior George Markopoulos (Worcester, Mass.) headed in cross from the left side off the foot of first-year Justin Hyland (Leicester, Mass.) to put the visitors in front just one minute into the contest.
Anna Maria junior Michael Powell (Salem, Mass.) doubled his team's lead with 18 seconds left in the first half when he headed home a corner kick from senior Armen Billian (Worcester, Mass.).
The Nor'easters held advantages in shots (8-4) and corners (5-1) over the final 45 minutes as the teams battled wet and muddy field conditions, but could not find the back of the net.
Junior Eric Perkins (Peabody, Mass.) recorded nine saves to earn the shutout for the AMCATS, who take on Wentworth Institute of Technology Tuesday.
UNE, which received one save from junior goalie Jon Planer (Yarmouth, Maine), will host Curry College the same day at 4 p.m.
Release Courtesy of UNE Sports Information |
Nickerson's late header sparks AMC to victory, 3-2
 Nickerson score the game-winner in the 83rd minute
Box Score
PAXTON, Mass. – The Anna Maria College men’s soccer scored two second half goals to top Mass Maritime, 3-2, in a Division III matchup at AMCATS Field on Thursday afternoon. The win propels the AMCATS to 6-4 overall, while the Buccaneers drop to 3-4-1 with the loss.
The AMCATS got the scoring started in the 26th minute of play, when freshman Justin Hyland (Leicester, Mass.) made a nice feed to fellow freshman Enco Lika (Worcester, Mass.) who beat the Buccaneers’ goaltender for the first goal of the game.
Lika nearly missed netting his second goal on several occasions, hitting the top post twice in the first half.
Despite outshooting the AMCATS 8-6 in the half, the Buccaneers were unable to get anything by AMC goaltender Eric Perkins (Peabody, Mass.), who made three saves in the period to send his team into the break leading 1-0.
Mass Maritime came out strong in the second half, tying the score in the 49th minute on an unassisted tally by freshman Derek Young (Falmouth, Mass.).
Just 30 seconds after the AMCATS took a 2-1 lead on an unassisted goal from senior Michael Allard (Monson, Mass.), the Buccaneers tied the game on a score from freshman Tim McDonough (Framingham, Mass.) off a beautiful feed from junior Paul Mullis (Marshfield, Mass.).
With less than eight minutes to play in the half, the AMCATS took the lead for good when freshman Robert Nickerson (Boylston, Mass.) headed a corner kick by Armen Billian (Worcester, Mass.) into the back of the net for the eventual game-winner.
Both teams return to action this Saturday on the road. The Buccaneers will travel to face Westfield State starting at noon, while the AMCATS will battle the University of New England in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference matchup at 3:30 pm. |
Slow start foils AMCATS in 2-1 loss
 Allard brought the AMCATS back within one
Box Score
PAXTON, Mass. – The Gordon College men’s soccer team held off a late surge by Anna Maria to win 2-1, at AMCAT Field in a Commonwealth Coast Conference match. Gordon improves to 4-5 (3-2 TCCC), while the loss drops the AMCATS to 5-4 (2-3 TCCC).
Gordon struck first in the half with junior Matt Horth’s (Akron, Ohio.) free kick that sailed into the top left corner past the out stretched arms of goalie Mike Dandurand (Warwick, R.I.).
In the 27th minute, Gordon added to the lead on another free kick. Horth headed the free kick to senior Chuck Anderas (Green Bay, W.I.) who also headed the pass into the net to give Gordon a 2-0 advantage.
Despite the score, Anna Maria played the half evenly with Gordon, as they trailed in shots by a slight 9-7 margin while just missing on multiple opportunities.
Anna Maria fought back in the second half, cutting the deficit to one after senior Mike Allard (Monson, Mass.) took an Enco Lika (Worcester, Mass.) corner kick and buried it into the lower right corner of the net.
The pace in the second half was dictated by Anna Maria, as they were continuously on the offensive, outshooting Gordon 10-3 in the second frame.
Senior George Markopoulos (Worcester, Mass.) had a free kick opportunity in the 86th minute after goalie Zach Frey (Chagrin, Fall, Ohio.) committed a hand ball foul outside of the box, however the AMCATS could not convert.
Junior Eric Perkins (Peabody, Mass.) and Mike Dandurand split time in net for the AMCATS, combing for five saves, while Zach Frey also finished with five saves for the Fighting Scots.
Anna Maria hosts Mass Maritime in a non-conference matchup October 1st at 4:00 p.m., while Gordon continues TCCC play at Colby-Sawyer, on October 3rd at 2:30 p.m. |
Markopoulos lifts AMC to overtime win, 1-0
 Markopoulos scored the gw goal in OT
Box Score
PAXTON, Mass. – Senior George Markopoulos (Worcester, Mass.) scored his conference-leading 10th goal of the season to spark the Anna Maria College men’s soccer team to an overtime victory over Eastern Nazarene College in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference matchup at Klingle Field on Saturday afternoon. The win improves the AMCATS to 5-3 overall, and more importantly, evens their TCCC record at 2-2. The Lions remain winless on the year at 0-9 and fall to 0-4 in the TCCC.
Anna Maria controlled the game through the first two periods, but were unable to get anything past ENC goaltender Andrew Trice (Quincy, Mass.). Trice did his best to keep the Lions in the game, making nine saves on the day.
After battling through 90 minutes of scoreless soccer in regulation, the two teams went to overtime.
In the first overtime, Markopoulos took a pass from freshman Justin Hyland (Leicester, Mass.) and found the back of the net for the game-winner.
Both teams will return to action on Wednesday hosting TCCC matchups. The Lions will face Western New England College at 7:00 pm, while the AMCATS will battle Gordon College at 4:00 pm. |
AMCATS' comeback falls short versus NEC, 3-2
 Markopoulos scored twice on Tuesday
Box Score
PAXTON, Mass. – The New England College men’s soccer team used two second half goals, including the game winner by Mark Mangini (Derry, N.H.), to hold off Anna Maria College, 3-2, at AMCAT Field in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference match. NEC improves to 4-3 (2-1 TCCC), while the loss drops the AMCATS to 4-3 (1-2 TCCC).
The first half was controlled by New England College, who led Anna Maria in shots by a 12 to 6 margin. NEC converted on their last shot attempt of the half on an unassisted goal by Pat McLean (East Hartford, Conn.) with 1:34 remaining in the period.
Anna Maria goalkeeper Mike Dandurand (Warwick, R.I.) and WNEC’s Pat Harkin (Scituate, R.I.) each turned away three shots in the period.
In the second half, NEC struck again when Kagan Sinclair (Marblehead, Mass.) made an elusive move and found the back of the net for an unassisted goal.
Anna Maria responded with two unanswered goals by senior George Markopoulos (Worcester, Mass.) to tie the game. The first goal was a header by Markopoulos, set up by a long throw in from Michael Powell (Salem, Mass.). The second came off a rebound from a shot by freshman Enco Lika (Worcester, Mass.) that Markopoulos gathered and hammered home.
The Pilgrims regrouped, and with 5:19 remaining in the second half, freshman Aaron Kolb (New Durham, N.H.) assisted Mangini for the game winner, propelling the Pilgrims to an always important conference victory.
Anna Maria had their share of opportunities in the second-half, but goalie Pat Harkin made several great saves including a terrific stop on a shot from AMC’s Michael Allard (Monson, Mass.) that looked destined for the goal. Later, Robert Nickerson (Boylston, Mass.) set-up Justin Hyland (Leicester, Mass.) for a great scoring chance that deflected off the far post. Harkin’s excellent goaltending (7 saves) proved to be the answer against the AMCATS 13 shot attack in the second half.
Anna Maria hosts Eastern Nazarene September 26th at 2:30 p.m. in a conference matchup. New England College will also continue TCCC play, hosting Western New England on September 26th at 2:30 p.m.
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Second half surge lifts AMCATS over Hawks, 2-0
 Lika scored his first collegiate goal
Box Score
PAXTON, Mass. – The Anna Maria College men’s soccer team used two second half goals to defeat Becker College, 2-0, at AMCAT Field on Thursday night. The AMCATS are now 4-1 on the season, remaining 1-0 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Hawks fall to 1-5 overall with loss, but are still 1-0 in the NECC.
The two teams battled to a 0-0 score through the first half with Anna Maria holding a slight 9-8 advantage in shots.
In the second half, Anna Maria took control of the action and eventually grabbed a 1-0 lead when senior Michael Schofield (Auburn, Mass.) scored off a feed from freshman Justin Hyland (Leicester, Mass.) in the 68th minute.
AMC freshman Enco Lika (Worcester, Mass.) gave the AMCATS some breathing room, putting on several nifty moves to beat the Becker defense and score an unassisted tally that gave Anna Maria a 2-0 lead.
The AMCATS held on for the win as sophomore Mike Dandurand (Warwick, R.I.) recorded a shutout in his first start in net this season, making five saves in the process.
Freshman Ryan Singh (Elmont, N.Y.) paced the Hawks with a team-high four shots
Becker will take to the field again on Tuesday when they travel to face off against Mount Ida. The AMCATS will be back in action on Sunday, looking to continue their winning ways versus TCCC foe Roger Williams on the road.
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