Miguel Diaz Alvarez scored two goals, including the game winner in the 71st minute on Wednesday night as Husson men’s soccer advanced to the North Atlantic Conference Championship game with a 3-1 win over Maine Maritime Academy in the semifinals at Boucher Field in Bangor.
The Eagles dominated the first half, not allowing the Mariners to get anything going on offense. Diaz Alvarez struck for the only goal of the first half in the 37th minute. Maine Maritime Academy took advantage of a Husson turnover in the first five minutes of the second half, and freshman Piercen Fisher capitalized cutting from left to right on the outside edge of the box before beating Jamie Barr into the far side of the net to make it 1-1. A beautiful lead pass by Lucas Alabiso sent Diaz Alvarez in alone to provide the game winner for the Eagles with 18:09 left. They added some insurance just over four minutes later when Edwin Cruz sent a pass up the left wing, and Santiago Jimenez used his speed to outrace his defender and put it into the back of the net to help secure his team’s spot in the final.
Senior goalie Reagan Moynihan did all he could do in the loss for Maine Maritime Academy by making eight saves. The #3 seeded Mariners end their season with a record of 6-8-3. Diaz Alvarez was a force all night as he has been all season for Husson. He had six shots on net while scoring his two goals (now 13 goals on the season in 12 games played). Barr made one stop, as he only faced two shots. The #2 Eagles (8-7-2) will travel to Waterville to take on rival and top seed Thomas College on Saturday (time to be announced) in the league championship match. The Terriers (12-3) beat UMaine-Farmington 5-0 in the other semifinal on Wednesday night.
Photo of Miguel Diaz Alvarez during a game earlier this season from Husson Athletics
