EPAC Clinched behind Shefsky Hat-trick

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Men's Soccer secured the EPAC championship with a 5-1 vicotry over Northampton Community College Tuesday afternoon.

Bucks put pressure on the host from the start of the game. Team leading scorer Salvatore Ficarotta (Yardley, PA/Pennsbury) was taken down in the penalty area, he then stepped up to convert the penalty to give the Centurions a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute. Then freshman, Zachary Shefsky (Holland, PA/Coucil Rock South) sprinted into the box to convert a pass from sophomore midfielder, Dylan Akay (Newtown, PA/Council Rock North) to make 2-0 in the 24th minute. Two minutes later, Shefsky added another to give Bucks a 3-0 halftime lead.

Northampton found a spark in the second half when they converted their own penalty kick in the 64th minute. Bucks were quick to respond when Ficarotta served a corner kick into freshman defender, Conor Brady (Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) who header it in (67th minute). Shefsky added his third of the day to secure the 5-1 victory and the conference. Bucks outshot Northampton 30 to 5, Jorge Ramirez (Bensalem, PA/Bensaem) to get the win in goal.

"We put them on their heels early and keep the pressure on." said Head Coach, Justin Burroughs, "We played well today and our team defense solid".

The win improves Bucks record to 12-2 overall and 10-0 in EPAC.

Northampton falls to 8-4 overall and 6-2 in EPAC.

Next up the Centurions travel to play Delaware County College on Tuesday, October 10th at 3:30PM in Media, PA.