The Wildcats won their third straight America East Men's Soccer Championship on Saturday. (Courtesy photo by China Wong/UNH Athletics)

DURHAM, N.H. – Junior Chris Pinkham of Concord and senior Victor Menudier (Limoges, France) netted two goals as the No. 1 seed and No. 10 University of New Hampshire men’s soccer team defeated No. 2 seed Vermont, 2-0, in the America East Championship on Saturday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium.

With this win, UNH earns its third straight America East Championship and their fourth consecutive bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats are now the third team ever to three-peat, following UMBC (2012, 2013, 2014) and Boston University (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997).

The NCAA Selection Show is Monday, April 19 at 12:00 p.m. on NCAA.com. The NCAA Tournament will take place entirely in North Carolina from April 29 to May 17.

“It just feels like another step in the journey,” Wilcats coach Marc Hubbard said. “In terms of what our guys had to sacrifice to this point. … two games in three days, they managed their legs. I’m proud of them for that and everything else they had to sacrifice as well.”

The Wildcats improve to 8-0-1 while the Catamounts fall to 5-2-1.

Menudier was named the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player for scoring three out of the four goals for UNH in America East Tournament play. Menudier, graduate student Sam Henneberg (Guildford, England), graduate student goalkeeper Alejandro Robles (Monterrey, Mexico), and freshman Yannick Bright (Milan, Italy) were named to the All-Championship Team.

With a 3.64 GPA, sophomore Michael Clow (Leola, Pa.), a finance major, won the America East Elite 18 Award for having the highest cumulative grade point average of anyone competing in today’s contest.

Pinkham’s goal was scored in the 42nd minute and was assisted by Henneberg and graduate student Bridger Hansen (Cottonwood Heights, Utah).

“I’m super psyched,” Pinkham said. “It’s always a good feeling scoring a goal, especially in a big moment. … It came in the championship game, I’m thrilled about that. Just happy I could contribute and help the team win.”

Later in the second half during the 73rd minute, Menudier found the back of the net for the third time in America East Tournament play.

His goal was assisted by graduate student Diego Toribio (Herencia, Spain) and Henneberg, clinching the 2-0 win for New Hampshire.

Between the 53rd and 56th minute of the game, Vermont took a strong offensive charge and put two more shots on goal. Robles denied both attempts, preserving UNH’s lead.

The Wildcats extended their lead over the Catamounts during the 76th minute (75:29) of the game as Menudier was set up by Toribio and Henneberg on the right side and blasted the ball into the bottom left of the net.

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