Herkimer, NY (November 13, 2025) – The Northern Essex Community College men’s soccer team picked up its first-ever national tournament victory on Thursday night as it defeated Raritan Valley 4-0 at Wehrum Stadium on the campus of Herkimer College. The win gives the Knights a fifth-place national tournament finish in their second-ever tournament appearance. The Knights finish the season with a 13-4-1 overall record.

Maxim Chriss (Lexington) and the Knights jumped on the Lions early as Chriss scored two goals in the game’s opening 3:40 of the contest. The first goal would come on an assist from Gabriel DosReis (Somerville) when he sent a short pass to Chriss, who sent the ball across the box and off the keeper’s outstretched hand and into the left corner.

The second goal would come off an assist from Kayky Freitas (Everett) as he sent the ball in from the left side, and Chriss sent the ball to the top of the net from six yards away.

DosReis would connect with Chriss again for the hat trick just over two minutes into the second half in a similar fashion to the second goal, as Chriss scored again from six yards out as he took the pass from the left side.

Sotir Agallui (Manchester, NH) would finish the scoring for NECC in the 75th minute when he got his foot on a shot from Oriol Jean (Haiti) and deflected it into the left corner.

For the game, NECC had a 23-9 advantage in shots and forced the Lions’ keeper to make 13 saves. Rolston Ladd (Candia, NH)got the start in net for the Knights and made four saves.

Learn more about NECC Athletics by visiting the website.