Leopards Win ECAC Championship

BOSTON, Mass. – Wentworth Institute of Technology junior goalkeeper Brian Pearsall (Sanford, Maine) pitched his second consecutive shutout as the Leopards defeated Castleton State College 1-0 to win the Eastern college Athletic Conference New England Division III Men's Soccer tournament.

Pearsall had six saves in the championship game and was named the most outstanding player in the tournament.  He had three saves in a 1-0 semifinal victory over Anna Maria College and his seventh shutout of the season tied a school record, set by Dylan Thomas in 1996.

The only goal of the championship came in the eleventh minute as Wentworth junior John Golden (Whitman, Mass.) knocked in a header off a lob pass from sophomore Josh Deschene (Webster, Mass.).  Deschene took the original pass from junior David Lagarce (Lenox, Mass.) who was awarded a second assist on the play.

Wentworth had the better of play throughout the first half with a 7-3 edge in shots and a 4-1 margin in corner kicks.  Castleton rallied toward the end of the half, carrying play in the Leopards end, but was unable to put the ball past Pearsall.

The second half was more evenly played with Wentworth outshooting Castleton 8-6.  Spartan senior keeper Mike Anthony '10 (Dartmouth, Mass.) made three saves in the period with Pearsall notching four.

The win gives Wentworth its first-ever ECAC Tournament title and the Leopards tied a school record for wins with 15, which was set two seasons ago when the squad lost, 2-1, to Norwich in the ECAC title game.  Wentworth also completes a perfect season on Sweeney Field as the Leopards went a perfect 11-0.  Castleton sees its season come to an end with a 12-8-3 record.