UTICA — The North Country Community College men's soccer team overcame an early deficit to defeat Mohawk Valley, 4-2, in the NJCAA Region III Tournament semifinal round Saturday.

With the win, North Country, the second-seed, advances to the NJCAA Region III Division III championship game against 19-time defending champion and top-seed Herkimer County Community College.

"It was a tough game," North Country coach Adam Parker said. "Mohawk Valley makes it very difficult for us to play our game and the wind made things much more challenging. I was impressed that we kept our heads through everything that was against us today and pulled out the victory. Tomorrow will be the biggest challenge in our programs history but the guys have been focused on this moment the entire year."

The championship game is at 1 p.m. today at Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden.

Mohawk Valley took an early lead on a soft goal four minutes into the game, but the Saints came right back.

North Country responded with three goals in the first half to take a commanding lead. Ernest Afful put the Saints on the board first with a penalty kick goal before Sahal Ismail and Rhys Calvano put North Country up 3-1 at the half.

Calvano's second goal of the game came midway through the second half, making it 4-1.

A late Mohawk Valley goal made the final 4-2.

North Country 4, Mohawk Valley 2

North Country C.C.31—4

Mohawk Valley C.C.11—2

First half- 1, MV, Butts, 4:08. 2, NC, Afful, 10:11. 3, NC, Ismail (Gilbert), 19:50. 4, NC, Calvano (Gilbert), 34:42.

Second half- 5, NC, Calvano (Afful), 25:12. 6, MV, Cain (Butts), 37:11.

Shots: North Country 9; Mohawk Valley 9.

Saves: Wignall, NC, 4. Sulivan, MV, 3.