Stephen Berenyi and Phil Frost grew up nine miles apart.
Berenyi, who is from Levant, and Bangor’s Frost stood out in soccer for their high school teams: Berenyi at Calvary Chapel Christian in Orrington and Frost at Bangor High School.
The juniors were among the keys to Husson University’s North Atlantic Conference championship, which earned the 13-7 Eagles a berth in the NCAA Division III tournament. The Eagles play 17-2 Brandeis, which is ranked No. 7 in the country and has allowed just six goals in 19 games, at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Frost is Husson’s leading scorer (11 goals, six assists) after missing last season while academically ineligible. The striker had 32 goals and nine assists in his first two seasons, and he was the NAC Player of the Year in 2012.
Frost had a hat trick in the 4-0 win over Thomas in the NAC championship game.
Attacking midfielder Berenyi had three NAC postseason goals and was chosen the tournament’s most valuable player. He is second on the team in scoring (6 & 6).
“Stephen is as special a kid as I have coached, even in 27 years in Division I,” said Husson coach Jeff Gettler. “He has the ability to dribble and go at people and break them down. He can beat people at will.”
Gettler said Berenyi is a quintessential playmaker whose dribbling ability is rare these days, and it results in free kicks, because he gets fouled.
“He always puts the [opposing team’s] back four in trouble,” said Gettler. “He has an extra gear and will run at them, which gets them unbalanced. He also has one of the best work rates on the team.”
Frost is the consummate striker, Gettler said.
“[Frost] can hold the ball with his back to the goal, he can play quick to people and link up. He can turn, he is very good in the air, and he has a knack for scoring goals with both feet and his head,” said Gettler.
The 6-foot-3 Frost said 2013 was a long year because he had to sit out.
“I’m excited to be back,” said Frost. “But it definitely took time [to round into shape]. I didn’t feel right on the field in the first half of the season.
“Getting the three goals in the final felt great. It always feels great when you capitalize on the team’s efforts,” he said. “It’s a good way to go into the NCAA tournament.”
The 6-foot-2 Berenyi, who had four goals in each of his first two seasons, said he has been more attack-oriented this season and played higher in the offensive half of the field and that has helped him play off Frost.
“Phil is a real good finisher. It’s good to have him back,” said Berenyi.
Frost said Berenyi means “everything” to the team.
“He scored important goals in the playoffs. He leads the team with his passion, and we all follow,” said Frost.
“I love to play the game, and I like to play simple,” said Berenyi.
Berenyi and Frost feel their team can hold their own with the Judges.
“I think we match up well,” said Frost. “We can cause some trouble for them.”
“We have nothing to lose, and we can use the momentum we had in the [NAC] playoffs,” said Berenyi.
Hampden’s Cam Libbey (5 & 1) and Portland’s Alain Tuyishime (0 & 4) start up front with Frost. Berenyi is joined in the midfield by Ellsworth’s Josh Bean (2 & 10) and Raymond’s Kyle Hargreaves, the defensive midfielder.
In the back are Swede Martin Lidholm (2 & 0), Nic Pare (0 & 2), Ellsworth’s Mike Curtis (2 & 0) and Rockport’s Andy Stevick (3 & 0).
Erskine Academy product Brian Potter is the goalkeeper and has a 1.47 goals-against average and an .822 save percentage. Gettler considers him “arguable, the best goalkeeper in New England.”