The Albertus Magnus men's soccer team came from behind to defeat Castleton State College 5-3 on Saturday afternoon in the ECAC Tournament semifinals at Brandeis University. Lindsley Barrett (Shelton, Conn.) recorded his first career hat trick to help extend the Falcons' season as they will now face Brandeis on Sunday in the ECAC New England Championship game. That contest will begin at noon.
The victory extends the Falcons' most successful year in program history as they improve to 17-3-1 on the year with a program record in wins.
In today's match, Castleton took a 2-0 lead with 15 minutes left in the first half, scoring the first goal of the contest 1:08 into play.
The Spartans added its second goal in the 30th minute as Bryce Kaler scored for Castleton State.
Albertus battled from behind as Barrett, who was named the GNAC Rookie of the Year a week ago, tallied back-to-back goals to tie the contest at two. Barrett pulled the Falcons to within one in the 32nd minute before tying the game 31 seconds later as he connected on a cross from Jamal Howard (West Haven, Conn.).
Stephen Zapata (Hamden, Conn.) scored the Falcons' third straight goal as he connected on a direct kick, sending the ball into the back of the net, to give Albertus its first lead of the day.
Nick Woodhouse (Plainville, Conn.) received a perfect cross by Howard in the box and fired a shot into the back of the net, extending the Falcons' lead to two, while scoring his second goal of the year. That goal came in the 82nd minute of play.
Zapata also registered an assist on the play. For the junior, it was his 22nd assist of the year as he leads the nation in that category. Zapata is now tied for eighth all-time in Division III men's soccer with 23 assists in a single-season after recording an assist on Barrett's third goal of the day.
Barrett's third goal came with less than nine minutes left in regulation to give Albertus a commanding 5-2 advantage.
Castleton added its third and final goal with 3:42 left in the contest as the Spartans were awarded a penalty kick and scored to cut the Albertus' lead to two at 5-3.
Castleton's Zac Conlogue scored two goals for the Spartans in the loss.
Donato Piroscafo (Naugatuck, Conn.) made two saves in the contest for the Falcons as he allowed two early goals to the Spartans. For the sophomore, he now has 17 wins on the season and 91 saves.
The Falcons will look to dethrone Brandeis on Sunday as the Judges are the defending ECAC New England Champion from the 2010 season.
Live stats will be available via BrandeisJudges.com. The game can also be followed on Twitter as Albertus Magnus Director of Athletics Michael Spinner will have all the action via @MichaelSpinner.