Box Score
Post-Game Interview

CRANSTON, R.I. -- An early goal by Matthew Christie and eight saves from Aidan McParland helped lead the University of New England men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Johnson & Wales University in a non-conference match Wednesday evening (Oct. 8) at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex.

The win improves the Nor'easters to 7-3-1 on the year -- the highest win total in five seasons. UNE's four road triumphs and current four-game winning streak are also the highest since the 2009 campaign.

With the setback, the Wildcats (7-4-1) fell for the first time in their last 18 home matches.

JWU put just three shots on-target in the opening frame, all in the initial nine minutes of action, and McParland stopped each one. Big Blue then got on the board in the 18th minute, as a corner kick by Finn Ducker and header by Tyler Garnick set the ball in the middle of the box for Christie to finish into the right side.

The hosts pushed forward after halftime and had their most threatening chance in the 65th minute, but the free kick from 20 yards dipping around the wall was smothered by McParland diving to his right.

Johnson & Wales continued to apply pressure down the stretch, and a dangerous cross into the 6-yard box was touched inches over the crossbar in the 84th minute. Moments later, another shot from the top of the box sailed just wide left. In the 2nd half, JWU had a 16-3 advantage in shots, and 5-0 in corners.

With the Wildcats committed to one final attack in the closing seconds, Christie gained control of the ball just inside midfield and sent it through the high line of defense. Ducker broke in all alone and slotted his second touch around the goalie with 0:09 on the clock to seal the victory.

For McParland, the two-time reigning Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) and ECAC Defensive Player of the Week, it was his fifth shutout of the season. His counterpart, Jon Robbins, recorded two saves in defeat.

UNE will be back in Biddeford for the first time in three weeks on Saturday (12 p.m.), as it resumes CCC play with a date against Wentworth Institute of Technology.


Watch the post-game interview with Anthony Frangione and Aidan McParland