Eastern's Agyemang Moves Into National Lead in Points
MANSFIELD, Conn. – Sophomore forward Patrick Agyemang (East Hartford) moved into a share of the national lead in Division III by scoring three goals – giving him 18 in 15 matches this year-- when the Eastern Connecticut State University men's soccer team blanked Castleton University, 5-0, in a Little East Conference match Saturday afternoon at Rick McCarthy Field
The hat trick was the third this year and the multi-goal game the seventh in the two-year career of Agyemang, who scored twice in the first half to help Eastern (13-2-0, 6-1-0 LEC) to a 3-0 halftime lead on the way to its seventh home win this year in as many matches
A win in its final LEC regular-season match Nov. 2 at Plymouth State University guarantees the Warriors of their second straight outright regular-season title and eighth in 13 years (they have shared two) under head coach Greg DeVito
Agyemang's goal late in the first half a year ago at home gave Eastern a 1-0 win over Castleton (3-11-0, 1-5-0). This year's win was more emphatic, with freshman Ryan Sirois (Tolland) and senior Sam Hurlburt (Cornwall) contributing goals. Sirois also had an assist and senior Griffin Luczek (Lee, NH) set up two of Agyemang's goals
With Saturday's three goals, Agyemang tied Bethany Lutheran College freshman Max Busch for the national lead in goals. Busch's BLC team was scheduled to host Northfield College later Saturday.
Junior keeper Kyle Boutot (Tolland) started the team's ninth shutout this year, sharing his fourth. Boutot made three saves in 58 minutes, while junior Jack VanRooyen (Wayland, MA) stopped two in 22 minutes and freshman Sam Alvis (Armonk, NY) closed it out with two saves over the final ten minutes. Boutot lowered his goals-against average to 0.72 and raised his save percentage to .833
Eastern hosts Babson College in a non-conference match Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Beavers are ranked eighth in New England, Eastern tenth.
