Charlotte, NC – Two teams, a player, and a long-time coach are the latest inductees into the NJCAA Men's Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
It's just the second year that teams are being honored into the Hall of Fame, following the inaugural induction of four teams in 2018. The two teams inducted this year had the tall task of filling the shoes of a Hall of Fame team a year before them, but did so with class.
1995 Herkimer County Community College (25-0-0) was the second act of the greatest winning streak in NJCAA soccer history. Starting in 1994 and concluding in 1995, Herkimer won 97 consecutive games.
The 1995 team featured a trio of All-American players in David Seipp, Nathan Horton, and Jeffrey Rauber that held the Generals atop each Division III poll of the season, going wire-to-wire as No. 1 and recording and outscoring opponents 110-8 on the season – including 20 shutouts. The shutout mark produced by the 1995 team is the second-best all-time, trailing only the 1994 Herkimer that was inducted in the 2018 Hall of Fame class.
The championship game proved to be the greatest test of the year. It was a rematch of the 1994 final against Nassau in which Herkimer escaped with a late winner in a 1-0 result. Behind Tournament MVP David Seipp's one goal and one assist, Herkimer prevailed and would continue the streak for nearly two more seasons thereafter.
The team was coached by Hall of Fame coach Perry Nizzi.
2010 Tyler Junior College (20-0-1) also carried on the tradition of its immediate predecessor. Following up on the 2009 team's 21-0-0 run to the program's first national title, the Apaches 2010 squad carried on much of the same success.
The season started with a surprise 0-0 draw to Barton, but cumulated with a 5-1 win in the national championship final over Cincinnati State. The Apaches also claimed a 3-0 national tournament victory over Barton to prove that the early tie was simply a fluke.
The 2010 Apache squad may have had the most star power in program – if not NJCAA history. Two players, Dom Dwyer and Brenton Griffiths, both have spent time in the MLS. Currently, Dwyer is currently with Orlando City SC while Griffiths is with Miami FC of the NISA. Both Dwyer (2014) and Griffiths (2018) are already members of the Hall of Fame.
It can be argued that the 2010 team set the tone for continued success for the Apaches. Tyler made six consecutive championship game appearances from 2012-2017, winning four of them in what has been a decade of dominance spurred on by the 2010 squad.
The team was coached by Hall of Famer Steve Clements.
Nathan Horton served as team captain for the 1995 Herkimer squad.
Winning a national title in both of his seasons with the Generals, Horton tallied what proved to be a decisive PK in the 1995 championship game. Horton was named to the All-Tournament team along with being honored as an NSCAA/Umbro All-American for his sophomore campaign.
Horton concluded his junior college career with a total tally of seven goals and 16 assists from the midfield position.
Bob Gould is being inducted for his long-time coaching service to Mohawk Valley Community College. Gould started at Mohawk Valley in 1979, serving as both the baseball and soccer coach in the athletic department. For 38 seasons, Gould headed the men's soccer program until stepping down three years ago and switching over to coaching the tennis program.
Over his total coaching career, Gould amassed a record of 366-209-37. Gould has also seen eight players garner All-American status during his time with the Hawks.
Gould also holds the title of Associate Professor in Physical Education and has taught most of the courses in the department. Outside of soccer and his work in education, Gould also is a part of many committees and special events, including a local group that raises awareness to educate and combat drunk driving.