WENHAM, Mass. – Sophomore Sammy Wilson (Ansonia, Conn.) headed in the game-winning goal with 6:41 remaining in regulation as the Gordon College men's soccer team remained undefeated on the season with a 2-1 win over Wentworth Institute of Technology in the Commonwealth Coast Conference opener for both teams.
With the win the Fighting Scots improve to 5-0 on the season while the Leopards dropped their second straight to stand at 0-2-3.
The Leopards would get on the board first as senior Adam Rhodes (Litchfield, Conn.) was fed a pass from junior Sam Martins (Dartmouth, Mass.) and took a shot which was initially going wide, but brushed off a defender and went in. Despite being outshot 4-2 over the first 45:00, Wentworth held a 1-0 lead at the break.
Gordon evened the score at 1-all at the 56:37 mark on an unassisted tally from freshman Nathan Bilbie (Shrewsbury, Pa.). The Fighting Scots continued to apply pressure, putting a pair of shots on goal which were saved by junior Kevin Pepin (Fairhaven, Mass.).
In the 81st minute, freshman Joshua Cochran (Bellville, Ohio) sent a header towards the goal off a corner kick, however it was cleared out by a Leopard defender.
Off a free kick, junior Torrey Stricklin (Warwick, R.I.) sent a ball into the center of the box where Wilson flicked it past Pepin and gave the hosts a 2-1 lead.
Wentworth would have chances late, including a corner kick which was cleared out with just over a minute to play.
Sophomore Josh Spoonhour (Greencastle, Pa.) picked up the win and didn't need to record a save. Pepin turned aside three shots for the Leopards, who were outshot 17-6.
The Leopards are back in action Sunday afternoon against Maine-Farmington at 5:00 p.m.
