Result: #1 NCC (16-0-2) 3, #2 Suffolk (17-2-0) 0 (Region XV Final)
When: October 28, 2023
Where: Garden City, N.Y.

Top performers

• Freshman forward Marc Augustin had a hand in all three of NCC's goals, scoring once and assisting twice.
• Freshman midfielder Lorenzo Cali was credited with assists on goals scored by freshman midfielder Chrystian Hernandez and sophomore midfielder Oracio Agbegninou.  
• First-year keeper Kenny Chamo recorded eight saves.

How it happened

• Agbegninou broke the deadlock late in the first half and ensured the top-seeded Lions entered the break ahead 1-0.
• Augustin doubled NCC's lead on the other side of halftime (2-0), and Hernandez provided further insurance in the match's final minutes (3-0).

Notes

• NCC outshot Suffolk 21-11 in the contest.
• The Lions capture the Region XV title for the first time since 2021. They were defeated by Suffolk in the 2022 final.
• With the win, NCC earns an automatic bid to the NJCAA Division III National Championship tournament.

Up next: The National Championship kicks off on Wednesday, Nov. 8. Should the Lions advance to the final, they will play on Sunday, Nov. 12. All matches will be played at Caromont Health Park in Gastonia, N.C. The tournament's full schedule will be released in the coming days.