MARCY, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly Wildcats are the 2021 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Champions! The Wildcats faced off against the University of Maine at Farmington Beavers on Saturday in the NAC Championship game The Wildcats won the game in penalty kicks 6-5 after tying with the Beavers 1-1 through two overtime periods. SUNY Poly goalkeeper Darah Foley, who had never appeared in goal prior to the game, was the hero making a huge save in the sixth round of PKs. With the win, the Wildcats advance to the NCAA Championship Tournament for the first time since 2013. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Beavers took the lead in the 21st minute on a goal by Cade McHugh. The play started with the ball on the left side of the box, a nice sliding pass found Jimmy Pelletier in the middle with space to work. Pelletier dished out a pretty pass to McHugh who was crashing to the goal on the right side. McHugh went bottom right, placing the ball perfectly under the diving arms of the goalkeeper to give the Beavers a 1-0 lead. 

The Wildcats benefited from a yellow card in the box in the 64th minute. Wakeley Banker took the PK for the Wildcats. Banker lined up and ripped a shot top right, but Jonah Sautter made an incredible leaping save. Unfortunately for Farmington, the ball bounced off the keeper and settled on one hop in the middle of an open net. Banker, who had followed his shot, drove in an open netter to tie up the game 1-1.

The game was not settled in regulation or in overtime. After 110 minutes of play, a NAC Champion was crowned in penalty kicks. The Wildcats and the Beavers each netted their first five PKs to force a sixth round. In the sixth round, Cade McHugh stepped up for the Beavers and hit his shot bottom right. Wildcat goalkeeper Darah Foley guessed right and laid out to make what would be the decisive save. Matthew McCord lined up his shot with the game on the line and drilled it to the top left. Farmington goalkeeper Jonah Sautter got a hand on the shot, changing its trajectory, but the shot hit the inside of the crossbar and bounced in past the goal line to give the Wildcats the win. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES: 

• The Wildcat's lone goal in the game was scored by Wakeley Banker in the 64th minute. It was his team-leading 13th goal of the season. 

• Cade McHugh scored his fifth goal of the season for the Beavers in the 21st minute. 

• Jimmy Pelletier had an assist in the game for Farmington. 

• In his goalkeeping debut, Darah Foley made five saves on six shots faced. 

• Jonah Sautter made five saves for the Beavers in goal. 

• Noah Fagnani, Wakeley Banker, Edward Greene,  Andy Zhinin, Zachary Westadt, and Matthew McCord all scored on their PKs for the Wildcats. 

• Jimmy Pelletier, Gracien Mukwa, Silas Mohlar, Aric Belanger, and William Dowse netted their PKs for the Beavers. 

NAC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: 

After the game, the NAC All-Tournament Team was announced. The list featured the top performers from the four teams that advanced past the NAC Quarterfinal Round. The team consists of 11 players and includes a tournament MVP.

Ben Shumway - Husson

Arni Hreidarsson - Husson

Luke Schlachter - Cazenovia

Zach Schlachter - Cazenovia

Cade McHugh - UMaine-Farmington

Gracien Mukwa - UMaine-Farmington

Jonah Sauter - UMaine-Farmington

Kevin Ryan - SUNY Poly

Wakeley Banker - SUNY Poly

Matthew McCord - SUNY Poly

Daragh Foley - SUNY Poly (MVP)

Darah Foley was named the Tournament MVP after a gutsy performance in goal for the Wildcats. In his first-ever appearance in goal, he made five saves and made a PK stop that won the game for the Wildcats. 

UP NEXT: 

The Wildcats advance to the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship Tournament. The Wildcats will learn their opponent and their travel plans from the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, November 8th at 1:00 PM. 

*************************************************************************************************************

SUNY Poly is New York's globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience programs at its Albany campus, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica campus; thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world's most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts billions of dollars in high-tech investments and hundreds of corporate partners since its inception. For information visit www.sunypoly.edu.