BOSTON, Mass. – Junior Alec Watkinson's (Merrimack, N.H.) goal with 6:10 remaining in regulation snapped a 1-all tie and lifted the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Roger Williams in the Commonwealth Coast Conference opener for both teams.
With the win the Leopards eclipse last year's win total of four and improve to 5-0 for the first time in program history. Three of Wentworth's five wins have been by a 2-1 final with the Black & Gold coming from behind in each of those games. The Hawks fall to 2-2 on the season.
Both teams would have chances early, however were unable to convert those into scoring chances as defense was the theme of the match early on. However, Roger Williams would break the ice at the 34:38 mark when junior Trevor Sparda (Scarborough, Maine) scored. Sparda was set up when sophomore Sean Janson (Avon, Conn.) took a free kick from the left side of the 18-yard box into traffic. Sparda would break free and push a shot inside the left post.
The game remained 1-0 until the 38:17 mark when the Leopards evened things up. A Hawk foul approximately 25 yards out gave Wentworth a direct kick. Sophomore Michael Zendan (Charlotte, N.C.) played the ball to freshman James Morrison (New South Wales, Australia), who blasted a shot to the upper right corner.
Neither team was able to break the tie, despite having chances form each side. Wentworth's best opportunity came in the 74th minute when freshman Noah Martins (Dartmouth, Mass.) took a shot from in front, however it was saved by Roger Williams junior Carsten Fredrickson (Bainbridge Island, Wash.).
Watkinson's game-winning tally came off a Zendan corner kick. Zendan took the kick form the left side and sent it into the box, where Watkinson would flick a header to the right side, past Fredrickson.
Janson had a bid in the 86th minute off a direct kick, however freshman Matthew Sekerak (Winthrop, Maine) came up with the stop.
Sekerak made four saves on the day while Fredrickson stopped six shots. Shots were even at 14-all and Wentworth had a 6-4 corner kick advantage.
Roger Williams is back in action tomorrow at Eastern Connecticut while Wentworth is at Emmanuel on Tuesday night.
