Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Nick Zarka scored with 6:30 remaining to break a 2-2 tie and cap top-seeded Western New England College's rally, as the Golden Bears overtook No. 8 University of New England for a 3-2 victory in quarterfinal round action from The Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship on Saturday afternoon.
The Golden Bears (14-5-2), who scored all three of their goals in the second half, advance to play No. 5 Gordon College, a 1-0 upset winner of No. 4 Salve Regina University. UNE stands at 10-8 and awaits word on a possible ECAC Tournament bid. The ECAC field will be announced Nov. 9.
UNE grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute when sophomore
Kiel Hiller drove home a shot from deep on the left side. The Nor'easters would take that 1-0 lead into intermission.
The host Golden Bears drew even in the 58th minute when Alex Dos Santos knocked in a free kick.
Sophomore
Dan Crear gave the Nor'easters a 2-1 advantage seven minutes later, scoring his first goal of the season on a pass from classmate
Owen Evans.
UNE's lead would hold up for just five minutes, however, when WNEC first-year Tony Rosa's shot hit the crossbar and bounced over the goal line to make the score 2-2.
For the match, the Golden Bears held a 16-7 cushion in shots, including a 13-3 margin after halftime.
Junior
Jon Planer made four saves for the Nor'easters.