Coraopolis, PA – Captain Alfie Bashford scored four minutes into the game, leading-scorer Ivan Domingues had a first-half brace, and the CMCC men's soccer team rolled to a 5-0 victory over Penn State University-Lehigh Valley on Saturday morning in USCAA DII National Tournament pool play. With the win, the Mustangs advance to Sunday's national championship game against #2 Central Penn. 
 
"The guys came ready to play this morning," said head coach Dalton Wing. "We had some injuries after the Johnson & Wales game having to put a lot of minutes on our starter's legs. We came out strong today and scored the early goals that let us make some subs and get guys some rest ahead of tomorrow. I'm really proud of them." 
 
CMCC got the perfect start to the match with a 5th minute goal. USCAA DII Soccer Co-Player of the Year Jeremiah Gomez whipped a cross into the mixer and found Bashford in the penalty area. The captain from Knutsford, England got his head to it and sent the ball to the back of the net. It was just the second career goal for the second-year center back who scored earlier this season on his senior night. 
 
The Mustangs controlled possession and the pace of play through the first quarter of an hour, doubling their lead in the 16th minute. Gomez once again was the architect, this time finding his fellow 1st-Team All-American and Co-Player of the Year Ivan Domingues in the box. The junior from Lewiston, ME found space between two defenders, sending his header downward past goalkeeper Jonathan Smith for a 2-0 lead. 
 
Domingues, playing without his brother Igor Domingues who sat out with an injury, made it a brace to cap a stellar start in the 23rd minute. Mitch Cameron fed a delightful through ball into space for the speedy David Nzuzi to run onto. The winger from Angola saw his point-blank effort stopped but Ivan was there for the rebound, toe-poking his shot past defender Heriberto Hernandez. It was the forward's eighth multi-goal game of the season and third in four postseason matches. Ivan now sits at 24 goals in the campaign and 62 in his career. 
 
Goalkeeper Cody Cleaveland was called into action in the 37th minute, making an excellent one-on-save to deny Jack Montesdeoca and keep the Nittany Lions scoreless. Central Maine brought on Stephan Samba, Sam Boynton, Justin Violette, Exaucee Namwira, Guelor Kazadi and Harrison Garcia to the pitch for some fresh legs to keep the pressure on, and the team headed into the halftime break with a 3-0 lead. 
 
The second half saw CMCC look to keep the ball more and limit chances for PSU-Lehigh Valley. Ivan had a chance to complete a hat trick in the 64th minute but his low shot was stopped, and Gomez was denied a minute later with a dipping shot from distance. 
 
Gomez would score a goal of his own with 20 minutes left in the match. The attacking midfielder out of Thornton Academy dribbled and weaved his way to the top of the penalty area before blasting an unstoppable effort into the upper ninety for a 4-0 lead. It was the 10th goal of the year for Gomez. The 1st-Team All-American also leads the nation with 19 assists. 
 
Justin Violette put the cherry on top in the 72nd minute. Ivan clipped a diagonal into the box towards Namwira. The winger was brought down by the goalkeeper Smith in the area, and the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty. The junior from Lisbon Falls, ME got the nod to take the kick and calmly stroked his shot into the bottom corner to make it 5-0. It was Violette's third goal of the season. 
 
CMCC finished the match outshooting PSU-Lehigh Valley 14-2. Cleaveland made two saves to pick up his 14th win and 10th shutout of the year. The Mustangs now sit at 16-1-2 with one game left to play. 
 
"Our goal since the first day of the season has always been a national championship," said Ivan Domingues. "That's what we've been working hard towards all year. Now we just have to get the job done." 
 
#1 CMCC faces #2 Central Penn College to decide the USCAA DII Men's Soccer National Championship. The Mustangs take on the Knights at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on Sunday, November 17th with a 2:00 pm kickoff. Central Maine Community College will host a watch party at Kirk Hall Gymnasium in Auburn to view the championship match.