BOSTON, Mass. – Freshman Joe Kalil's (Franklin, Mass.) golden goal, coming with 5:42 remaining in overtime lifted the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Salve Regina in Commonwealth Coast Conference play. For Kalil, it was his third goal in the last two games as he scored twice in the Leopards' 4-2 loss at UMass Boston on Wednesday.
With the win the Leopards improve to 3-3-3 overall and 2-1 in CCC play while the Seahawks drop their second straight to stand at 4-5-0 (1-2). The win was also the first for Wentworth over salve Regina in the last five meetings between the two schools.
Salve Regina had a chance early in the contest when senior Zachary Kraft (Tenafly, N.J.) served a corner kick into the box. Sophomore Steven Aston (Sherborn, Mass.) flicked a header towards the net, however Wentworth junior Kevin Pepin (Fairhaven, Mass.) made the save.
Just over five and a half minutes later the duo would connect to give the Seahawks a 1-0 lead. A foul called on Wentworth led to a free kick, which was taken by Aston. He sent the shot toward the goal where Kraft beat Pepin with a shot inside the near post at 12:53.
At 31:49 Wentworth evened the score after a free kick from junior Alberto Benhamu (Caracas, Venezuela) was served across the box. Junior Max Hilchuk (Wethersfield, Conn.) flicked a header inside the right post, beating Seahawk senior Kyle Kureczka (Berlin, Conn.).
The game remained tied at the half with Wentworth holding an 8-5 advantage on shots.
Wentworth had two golden opportunities to take a 2-1 lead in the second half as in the 57th minute Kalil rattled a shot off the crossbar, and, in the 81st minute, senior Adam Rhodes (Litchfield, Conn.) hit the post from close range. With under a minute left, Salve Regina had a chance to take the lead, however a direct kick from Aston went to the right of the goal.
In overtime, Rhodes had a shot attempt that went to the left of the target in the 92nd minute before a foul was called on Salve Regina outside of the box. Junior Sam Martins (Dartmouth, Mass.) served the free kick in the box where Kalil headed the ball inside the right post to give the Leopards their first win over the Seahawks since October 14, 2009.
Pepin and Kureczka each made four saves while Salve Regina held a 17-15 shot advantage.
Both teams are in action on Wednesday as Wentworth is at Lesley and Salve Regina hosts Mass. Maritime.
