OCEAN CITY, N.J. – Forward Jacob Labovitz recorded a hat-trick to pace Vermont Green FC to a 3-1 victory past the Long Island Rough Riders in the first round of the USL League Two playoffs at Carey Stadium on Friday night.
It was the second defeat the Rough Riders suffered this season.
Nigel Prince opened the scoring in the 25th minute heading home a Daniel D’Ippolito corner kick against goalkeeper Jaheim Wickham, but Long Island could not hold onto the lead.
Labovitz equalized in the 39th minute.
Nathan Siméon launched a ball into the box to Labovitz, who headed the ball off the crossbar. He pounced on the rebound and slotted home the equalizer past keeper Eryk Dymora.
Some six minutes later just before halftime, Siméon played a role in the goal-ahead goal. He fired a shot from distance that was saved by Dymora, but Labovitz headed the ball over the home to give Vermont a 2-1 lead.
Lavotiz added an insurance goal in the 90th minute, latching onto a Siméon feed from the left flank before drilling a shot from the top of the box for his third goal.
The Rough Riders finished their season as Metropolitan Division champions with a 9-1-2 record and 29 points. They outscored the opposition during the regular season, 31-10.
Vermont Green advanced to the Round of 16 to face the Seacoast United Phantoms on Sunday night, July 21 here.
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