Newton, NJ -- The visiting Roadrunner men's soccer team roared back -- but fell just shy -- in their attempt to advance to the Region XIX North Atlantic B championship game as they lost to Sussex County Community College on Wednesday on penalty kicks following a 2-2 tie.

Down 2-0 entering the second half of Wednesday's semifinal contest, coach George Hobbins' team staged a rally. Sophomore midfielder Justin Phy (Triton Regional) scored an unassisted goal followed by a second goal from freshman back Jake Fazi (assisted by Phy) to tie it at 2-2 and send the game into OT.

After two scoreless overtimes, the Roadrunners lost 7-6 on penalty kicks. The Skylanders will now play Ocean County College on Saturday for the Region XIX North Atlantic B title and the chance to advance to the NJCAA National Championship Tournament.

Earlier the Skylanders raced to a 2-0 halftime lead thanks to a pair of goals by Adrian Sanchez. He scored his first goal unassisted just one minute into the game for a 1-0 lead and added a second goal at the 15:00 mark for a 2-0 advantage.

The Roadrunners, who beat Delaware County CC in an opening-round Region XIX playoff last weekend, completed their 2019 season with a 12-5-3 overall record.

GAME PREVIEW

In the first meeting between the Roadrunner and Sussex County men's soccer teams in September, the Runners walked away with a 3-1 triumph on the road. But, how will the results turn out this time as the two programs lock horns in today's (October 30) Region XIX North Atlantic B semi-final match at 2:30 pm at Sussex County?

In the regular season encounter, freshman Francesco Fazzolari tallied two goals while goalkeepers Connor Rink and James Bartolotto combined for the win in the nets to lift the Roadrunners past the Skylanders.

But Roadrunner men's soccer coach George Hobbins knows his club will be facing a completely different Sussex County club this time around.

"They are a much better team than we faced them in September," said Hobbins. "We'll have our hands full and we can't afford any letdowns."

Much more is at stake this time around. The winner advances in Region XIX to face the winner of No. 2 Ocean County vs. No. 7 Union CC.

"We'll be ready, but we know they're a tough team," said sophomore Josh Strickon, who scored two goals to lead RCSJ Gloucester to a 5-0 victory in an opening round Region XIX playoff match last weekend. "We just need to stay aggressive on our attack and play good defense."

Should they emerge victorious, the Runners will advance to the North Athletic District B Championship match at Ocean County College on Saturday, November 2, at 1:00 pm in Toms River, NJ.

MATCH DAY INFORMATION

No. 6 Roadrunners at No. 3 Sussex County
1 College Hill Rd
Newton, NJ 07860
2:30 pm kickoff

Records
RCSJ Gloucester, 12-5-2
Sussex County, 10-3-2

Coaches:
George Hobbins, RCSJ Gloucester
Frank Vernacchio, Sussex County CC