BOSTON, Mass. – Senior midfielder Dan Santacroce's (Northford, Conn.) goal early in the second half snapped a 1-all tie and helped the Wentworth men's soccer team run its unbeaten streak to four (3-0-1) as the Leopards held on to defeat the University of New England, 2-1.
The Leopards struck first at the 28:48 mark when senior forward John Geleski (Wayne, N.J.) scored off a feed in front from classmate Josh Deschene (Webster, Mass.). Deschene picked up the loose ball after a corner kick service had been sent out of the box.
Just over four minutes later the Nor'Easters tied the game when sophomore forward Kyle McGlone (Peabody, Mass.) sent a pass to senior forward Kiel Hiller (Galloway, N.J.), who blasted a shot from 25 yards out inside the near post. The game would remain tied at 1-all with the Leopards holding an 11-8 shot advantage and UNE holding a 7-3 corner kick advantage.
At the 49:20 mark, freshman Nick Cotter (Sandwich, Mass.) fed a one-touch pass to Santacroce at the top of the box, whose attempt found the upper right corner and gave the hosts a 2-1 edge.
The remainder of the half was even played, with the Nor'Easters having chances to tie the score and Wentworth having chances to add to its lead.
With under 20 seconds remaining in the contest UNE was awarded a corner kick to the left of the Leopards' goal. The service was played in the box and the Nor'Easters had one last chance to tie the game, but the shot attempt went wide to the right.
Junior John Longo (Needham, Mass.) made six saves for the Leopards, while freshman Aidan McParland (Brockville, Ont.) made eight stops for the Nor'Easters. Wentworth held a 24-16 shot advantage, while UNE had a 13-5 advantage in corner kicks.
With the win Wentworth improves to 3-1-2 overall and 1-0-1 in CCC play. The Leopards are idle until traveling to Nichols next Saturday. UNE falls to 2-4 (1-1) and hosts Wheelock on Tuesday.
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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Univ. of New England 1 0 - 1
Wentworth........... 1 1 - 2
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 28:48 WIT John Geleski (1) (Josh Deschene)
2. 32:52 UNE Kiel Hiller (4) (Kyle McGlone)
3. 49:20 WIT Dan Santacroce (2) (Nick Cotter)
Shots: Univ. of New England 16, Wentworth 26
Saves: Univ. of New England 8 (Aidan McParland 8), Wentworth 6 (John Longo 6)
