Box Score

BOSTON, Mass. – Junior Dan Santacroce's (Northford, Conn.) goal early in the second half snapped a 1-all tie and helped the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's soccer team run its unbeaten streak to four games, as the Leopards held on to defeat the University of New England, 2-1, in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action Saturday afternoon at Sweeney Field.

Wentworth (3-1-2), which is currently in the midst of a 3-0-1 stretch, moves to 1-0-1 in league play. After back-to-back wins, the Nor'easters drop to 2-4 overall (1-1 CCC).

The Leopards struck first at the 28:48 mark when senior John Geleski (Wayne, N.J.) scored off a feed in front from classmate Josh Deschene (Webster, Mass.). Deschene picked up the loose ball after a corner kick service had been sent out of the box.

Just over four minutes later the Nor'easters tied things up when sophomore Kyle McGlone (Peabody, Mass.) sent a pass to senior Kiel Hiller (Galloway, N.J.), who blasted a shot from 25 yards out inside the near post. The game was still level at the halftime break, with Wentworth holding an 11-8 shot advantage and UNE maintaining a 7-3 edge in corners.

At the 49:20 mark, first-year Nick Cotter (Sandwich, Mass.) fed a one-touch pass to Santacroce at the top of the box, whose attempt found the upper right corner and gave the hosts to final lead.

With under 20 seconds remaining in the contest, UNE had a corner kick to the left of the Leopards' goal and one last chance to tie the game, but the ensuing shot attempt sailed wide right.

For the match, Wentworth had a 24-16 cushion in shots, while the corner kick battle went 13-5 for the visitors.

Junior goalie John Longo (Needham, Mass.) made six saves for the Leopards, while his counterpart, first-year Aidan McParland (Brockville, Ontario) made eight stops for Big Blue.

Wentworth has a week off before traveling the Nichols College next Saturday. The Nor'easters return to action Tuesday with a home date against Wheelock College (5 p.m.).


(Portions of story courtesy of Wentworth Sports Information)