BOSTON, Mass. – Senior David Cook's (Waterville, Maine) goal with 9:22 remaining in regulation snapped a 1-all tie and capped off a two-goal comeback as the host Wentworth Institute of Technology men's soccer team upset No. 22 Wheaton, 2-1, in a non-conference match at Sweeney Field.
With the win the Leopards improve to 2-0 on the season for the first time since 2006 while the Lyons drop their opener (0-1).
The Lyons held the early advantage and would put five of their 10 first-half shots on net, while holding Wentworth to seven shots with three coming on target. The Leopards would have a chance late in the half, however freshman Noah Martins' (Dartmouth, Mass.) bid was denied by senior keeper Matt Dickey (Newton, Mass.).
Wheaton put four shots on goal in the first 14 minutes of the second half, including a header off a corner kick in the early going which was saved by freshman Matthew Sekerak (Winthrop, Maine). The Lyons finally broke the ice at the 69:49 mark when sophomore Sean Hurlburt (Kingston, Mass.) served a cross inside the box where senior Noah Kossoff (New York, N.Y.) flicked a header to the right side.
Nearly 10 minutes later Wentworth got the equalizer when junior Alec Watkinson (Merrimack, N.H.) picked up a loose ball from 30 yards out and rifled a shot from the top of the box that was tucked inside the left post.
At the 80:32 mark a foul was called on Wheaton, resulting in a second caution of the game to the same player. On the ensuing free kick – just outside the box – freshman Michael Zendan (Charlotte, N.C.) served a ball into the box where Cook flicked a header to the lower left corner.
Wheaton had a late chance on a header by Kossoff, however Sekerlak made the save which would preserve the win.
Sekerlak made 12 saves for the Black & Gold, while Dickey made four stops. Wheaton outshot Wentworth 22-11, including 12-4 in the second half. Both teams took three corner kicks.
The Leopards host Johnson & Wales on Sunday afternoon at 5:00 while the Lyons have their home opener on Sunday against Ohio Northern.
