Hepburn leads Knight's past visiting St. Jospeh's (VT)

Hepburn leads Knight's past visiting St. Jospeh's (VT)

RANDOLPH CENTER, Vermont (VT) -- Then Vermont Tech Knights men's soccer team started their home campaign with a win over the visiting College of St. Joseph's (Rutland, VT).  The Knights got an early spark from sophomore Phil Hepburn (Milton, VT) in the 7th minute when he received a through ball into the left side of the 18 box from Houston Cote (Bristol, VT) and netted his first goal of the young season. The shot beat the St. Joseph's goal Keeper Joey Maynard back post and found the side netting.

The Knights gave up their early lead in the 18th minute as Keven Andrade for St. Joseph's (VT) found his teammate Dominick Simpson at the back post. Twelve minutes later the Knight's Phil Hepburn (Milton, VT) carried the ball into the St. Joseph's (VT) final third and struck a low hard shot past the diving arms of the keeper Joey Maynard. This Knight's took a 2-1 lead into half.

The knight's started the second half quickly scoring in the 4th minute. Houston Cote (Bristol, VT) played a lofted ball into the box that David Mattern (South Royalton, VT) headed back across the Penalty Box where Phil Hepburn (Milton, VT) knocked home his third goal of the night giving the Knight's the 3-1 advantage.

The knight's defensive team effort forced St. Joseph's (VT) into many turnover but they still found themselves in a defensive battle as they weathered a few St. Joseph's attacks. Dominick Simpson of St. Joseph's (VT) scored his second goal of the game in the 63rd minute giving his team some momentum with 27 minutes left to play.

It was the Knight Keeper Scottie Durkee (Chelsea, VT) though who would spoiling the St. Joseph's (VT) comeback as he made an outstanding save in the last 30 seconds when he knocked a hard shot of his outstretched hands of the top left corner and out for a corner. The Knight's went on to win the game 3-2 and Scott Durkee (Chelsea, VT) recorded six saves.

Vermont Tech is now 1-2 on the season and welcomes Fisher College to campus on Saturday Sept 10th, at 4:00pm. The Knight look to build on their last game and hope to stay unbeaten at home.