Men’s Soccer Wins Regional Quarterfinal

Cougars Advance to New England Semifinals

(Taunton, MA) - Men's soccer defeated Bristol CC 4-2 in the quarterfinals of the regional tournament on Tuesday afternoon. The Cougars, the #6 seed, advance to the New England semifinals and will square off against the #2 seed Bunker Hill CC in Boston on Saturday.

Holyoke relied on a strong start and a full team effort to earn the victory over Bristol. The Cougars scored twice in the opening ten minutes of the game and took a 3-0 lead into halftime. Their opposition pushed back in the second half, attempting a comeback before Holyoke slammed the door shut with a fourth goal. Sleiden Edmorin (Springfield, MA / Tech Boston Academy) scored a pair of goals in the win, the Cougars' first and fourth. Colin Leydon (Wilbraham, MA / Minnechaug Regional HS) tallied HCC's second goal and Niamke David Akpayne (Chicopee, MA / Chicopee Comprehensive HS) had the third, the eventual game winner. Four different Cougars registered an assist as Gianni Guyer (East Longmeadow, MA / East Longmeadow HS), Dantae Bates (Springfield, MA / East Longmeadow HS), Gus Mazza (East Longmeadow, MA / East Longmeadow HS) and Tanner Joseph (Holyoke, MA Hampshire Regional HS) each contributed with a helper.

Men's soccer has advanced to the regional semifinal for the second straight season. Holyoke's game time for Saturday's semi is yet to be announced but their opponent will indeed be Bunker Hill who will host the game. Let's go Cougars!

Photo: Men's soccer regular season action.