Tristan Durgin

McGlone nets hat trick in win; UNE into playoffs


Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Sophomore Kyle McGlone (Peabody, Mass.) tallied three first-half goals to give the University of New England enough for a 3-2 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's soccer victory over Eastern Nazarene College in the regular-season finale for both teams Tuesday evening at Barbara J. Hazard Field.

By getting wins in their final two contests, the Nor'easters (4-10, 3-6 CCC) jump up into the eighth spot for the upcoming CCC Championship, and will visit top-seeded Western New England University in Saturday's quarterfinal round (12 p.m.). UNE edged Curry College (2-5-2) by one point, 9-8, for the final playoff position.

McGlone put the hosts in front during the 5th minute of action, ripping a close-range shot just under the crossbar, with sophomore Bryce Parrish (Northfield, Mass.) registering the assist.

The sophomore forward doubled the margin in the 14th minute, as a long throw-in from classmate Matthew Christie (Hudson, N.H.) was flicked onward by the head of senior Kiel Hiller (Galloway, N.J.) to McGlone at the back post.

The Lions (3-15, 0-9) answered right back with two quick scores to level the match at 2-2. First-year Troy Cohee (Gardnerville, Nev.) sent in a cross from senior Mike Magnuson (Pepperell, Mass.) at the 19:07 mark, and first-year Luis Lopez (Alexandria, Va.) found drove one off the goalie's fingertips 2:02 later after taking a pass from junior Chris Scearbo (Boxford, Mass.).

Hiller again found McGlone as the first 45 minutes continued, converting what would prove to be the game-winner with 38:10 gone in the opening frame.

The Nor'easters finished the period up 15-5 in shot attempts, only to see Eastern Nazarene rebound to manage an 11-7 margin in its favor after halftime, but the visitors could not find the equalizer before time expired.

First-year Aidan McParland (Brockville, Ontario) made four saves for UNE, while his counterpart, rookie Jake Johnson (Mount Bethel, Pa.), turned aside seven shots for ENC.