(Valhalla, NY) - On one hand, the Westchester Community College Men's Soccer team had little to play for on Saturday. Their place in next week's Mid-Hudson Conference Championship Game is secure, as is a home game for the Region XV Championship Tournament in one week's time. On the other hand, when it comes to the Vikings' aspirations of a fifth consecutive Mid-Hudson Conference crown, Saturday's game likely meant everything.

In a game that determined the #1 seed and home field advantage for Wednesday's Mid-Hudson Conference Championship Game, Westchester downed Ulster Community College 2-1 at Barrett Field. With the win, Westchester improves to 9-3 overall and finish the season 4-0 in conference play. The two teams will face each other on Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 3:30 p.m. at Barrett Field for the 2019 Mid-Hudson Conference Championship, marking the second consecutive season the teams will meet in the Final. Westchester defeated Ulster 4-1 in the 2018 Conference Championship Game.

Prior to the game, 10 Viking sophomores were honored for their service to the WCC Soccer program and Athletic Department. And then, as would be expected when the top-two teams in the conference meet, it was a heated battle from start to finish. The two teams went into halftime scoreless as Westchester held a 9-6 lead in shots, and both teams had their share of scoring opportunities, none of which found the net. 

Things changed quickly during the second half. At 64:18, freshman Tyrone Malango (Tuckahoe, NY/Tuckahoe HS) took a pass from Ricardo Timoney (Bronxville, NY/Bronxville HS) and converted it into his fourth goal of the season for a 1-0 lead. For Timoney, it was his first career point for the Vikings. 

Five minutes later, freshman Tuane Tapper (Mount Vernon, NY/Mount Vernon HS) completed a spectacular individual effort with his 10th goal of the season, and Westchester seemingly had a comfortable 2-0 lead. 

However, as top teams do in big games, the Senators did not go down quietly. With just under 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Ulster struck for their first goal of the game to make it 2-1. 
 

The final 10 minutes featured Ulster desperately trying to net the equalizer, and the Westchester defense holding strong. Sophomore Guilherme Griza (Novo Hamburgo-RS (Brazil)/Colegio Marista Pio XII) stopped eight out of nine shots for the win, as the Vikings finished the regular season having allowed two or fewer goals in 11 out of 12 games. 

Overall, Westchester out-shot Ulster 18-11, and held a 4-2 lead in corner kicks. 

The win was Westchester's 22nd straight against Mid-Hudson Conference competition, and seventh straight against Ulster CC. Adding one more win to both streaks on Wednesday will also give the Vikings a fifth straight conference championship.