By Max Lederman

BROOKLINE – For the first time, Northeastern has a men’s soccer team who are the America East champions.

The Huskies defeated Vermont (11-7-1, 5-2-1 America East) 2-1, Sunday at Parsons Field for the honors. Along with the championship trophy, NU also earns their first ever NCAA College Cup appearance. The team will face Lehigh in their first round playoff game this weekend.

“I don’t know much about Lehigh,” said captain Nate Houghton. “All I know is that I want to beat them.”

The Huskies (11-7-2, 6-2-0) beat Vermont for the second time this season behind goals from Joe Parrish and Atha Kirkopoulos. Kirkopoulos had the assist on Parrish’s goal to earn himself the championship’s Most Outstanding Player award.

Northeastern got on the board first in the 27th minute when Parrish headed home a pass from Kirkopoulos.

“I don’t score many goals, so that goal in the championship game felt great,” said Parrish.

The Huskies went into the half with a one goal lead.

“In the first half we scored, but both teams had chances,” said NU coach Ed Matz. “It could have easily been 1-1, but we took advantage of our opportunity.”

Vermont came out intense in the second half, with Matt Chavez knotting the game up 1-1 just 1:28 into the second half. The game remained tied and it looked as though the Huskies might be going into their eighth overtime game of the season, their second against Vermont.

“I was hoping we could add another goal and keep it out of overtime, with Vermont winning their semifinal match on penalty kicks,” Matz said.

With under three minutes remaining Kirkopoulos, the America East Offensive Player of the Year, booted one past Vermont’s net minder, Ryan Corry, to score the game winner. The goal was Kirkopoulos’ ninth of the season.

“Atha deserved all of the awards he won this season, he played great,” said Houghton. “The whole team played nasty.”

Along with teammates Michael Cipriano and Nate Houghton, Kirkopoulos was named to the All-Championship team. The victory was Northeastern’s eighth home win of the season.

“This year takes on a special meaning because of all the support we’ve had, and the crowd we had coming out in this rainy weather,” Matz added. “Having home field advantage these past two games has been a huge factor.”

The Huskies will travel to Bethlehem, Pa. to take on Lehigh (11-7-2, 4-2-1 Patriot League) Saturday at 7 p.m.