Leopards Snap Losing Streak With 5-2 Win at New England College

(Courtesy of New England College Sports Information)

HENNIKER, N.H. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology men's soccer team exploded for five second half goals as the Leopards rolled past New England College, 5-2, in a The Commonwealth Coast Conference contest.  With the win Wentworth snaps a two-game losing streak and evens its overall record at 5-5-0 and is 4-3-0 in TCCC play.  The loss evens the Pilgrims' overall record to 5-5-1 overall and 3-3-1 in conference play.

The two teams would battle through a scoreless opening half of play as the Pilgrims would hold the slight 5-4 advantage in shots.

Wentworth's Ben Nasman (Lenox, Mass.) would break the scoring drought early in the second half as he would put in a cross from Josh Deschene (Webster, Mass.) with just 31 seconds off the clock.  However, NEC would respond at the 54:34 mark as Peter Koskores (N. Andover, Mass.) would convert on a penalty kick knotting the game at 1-1.

The Leopard offense would use three goals in a five-minute span to jump ahead of the Pilgrims 4-1. Wentworth's John Geleski (Wayne, N.J.) would record his first goal of the season putting in a loose ball at the 67:44 mark before Nick Brown (Somerset, Mass.) and Dan Santacroce (Northfield, Conn.) would then team up to assist a goal by Devin Richard (Smithfield, R.I.) just over two minutes later.  Deschene would then cap the Leopards' scoring run by converting a penalty kick in the 71st minute.

New England College would get a goal back at the 72:33 mark as Diego Saldeno (Caracas, Ven.) would net his first goal of the season off a free kick from Scott Ryan (Pelham, N.H.).  With just under four minutes remaining Wentworth would respond as Anthony Berntsen (Portland, Maine) would put in a free kick for the Leopards' fifth goal of the day.

Picking up the win in net for Wentworth was Brian Pearsall (Sanford, Maine) who finished with four saves.  In net for NEC was Pat Harkin who also recorded four saves on the afternoon.  Wentworth held a slim, 14-12 shot margin and the five goals scored by the Leopards equal Wentworth's output in its five previous games combined.

Both teams continue conference play on Saturday with NEC hosting the University of New England at 2:30 p.m.  Wentworth will travel to Western New England College for an 11:00 a.m. contest.