It is Vertullo’s 2nd National Championship having won the 2006 NCAA DII National Championship at Dowling College as an assistant coach.
Story Updated: Nov 14, 2010 at 8:35 PM EST
HERKIMER, N.Y. (WKTV) - The Suffolk Clippers earned a 2-1 victory over the host Herkimer Generals and claimed the ir first national title in front of an overflow crowd Sunday at Wehrum Stadium.
The Clippers scored fairly early in each half. Their first tally came after Alejandro Lopez crossed a pass to Dimas Escobar who was open in front of the Herkimer goal. Escobar scored easily.
Herkimer got on the board with a tying goal by Jon Rosscraig in the 16th minute. The freshman from Dundee, Scotland took a pass from Mike Roopchandsingh (Newburgh) and found room to shoot from 41 yards out. He fired a cannon shot that beat the goalie to his left.
The second half began with even play by both sides, but 13 minutes into the period Escobar struck again. The Clippers made two passes in front of the goal and once again Escobar netted a goal with a short shot.
Herkimer’s efforts were kept in check by Suffolk’s tenacious defense. Also, too many Herkimer shots went just wide or just high.
The Generals kept fighting and seemed to step up their game in the final minutes. With two minutes to go, even Herkimer goal keeper Jon Moore joined the attack (pictured below) but the host side was unable to score.
