BOSTON, Mass. – Junior Chad Burke's (Boxford, Mass.) goal with 13:17 remaining in regulation snapped a 1-all tie and lifted the Western New England men's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Wentworth Institute of Technology in Commonwealth Coast Conference action on Sweeney Field.
With the win the Golden Bears improve to 9-6-2 overall and 2-3-1 in CCC play while the Leopards slip to 4-6-4 (2-3-1).
The opening stages of the game saw back and forth play through the midfield as neither team was able to create any scoring opportunities. At the 28:50 mark, Western New England broke the ice when sophomore Brandon Bolger (Saratoga, N.Y.) sent a pass towards the top of the box where sophomore Neil Williams (Brewster, N.Y.) drilled a one-timer past Leopard freshman Noah Scanlon (Millington, N.J.).
Williams' goal would stand as the lone marker of the opening stanza as the Golden Bears held a 6-5 shot advantage in addition to the lead.
The Golden Bears controlled play early in the second half and had a flurry of shots, beginning when Burke hit the crossbar in the 57th minute. Western New England ended the flurry with a corner kick, however the shot off the corner was wide.
At the 69:58 mark, Wentworth knotted the game at a goal apiece when freshman Michael Zendan (Charlotte, N.C.) sent a pass in from the right side where classmate Joe Kalil (Franklin, Mass.) blasted a shot past Golden Bear sophomore keeper Kevin Strobel (Rockland, Mass.) from just inside the box.
Less than seven minutes later, Burke would put Western New England ahead for good when Bolger threw the ball in form the left sideline. Senior Zachary Coopee (Hampden, Mass.) flicked the throw in to Burke, who buried a shot inside the left post.
The Leopards had a pair of shot attempts late, however were not able to get the equalizer.
Strobel made five of his six saves in the second half while Scanlon finished with four saves. Western New England had an 18-14 shot advantage and were awarded five of the six corner kicks in the contest.
Western New England travels to Nichols on Tuesday while Wentworth is at Roger Williams on Wednesday.