BOSTON, MASS. – Sophomore Michael Zendan (Charlotte, N.C.) recorded a goal and an assist to help pace the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Emmanuel College in a non-league contest on Tuesday night.
With the win the Leopards, ranked sixth in the NSCAA NCAA Division III New England Poll, extend their best start in program history to 6-0 while the Saints slip to 2-2 on the season.
For the third straight contest, Wentworth found itself trailing by a 1-0 score. Emmanuel got on the board at the 10:54 mark when junior Colin O'Donnell (Killingworth, Conn.) gathered a pass from classmate Jeff Allen (South Windsor, Conn.) and drove a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Wentworth got the equalizer in the 36th minute when Zendan notched his second of the season. Senior Sam Martins (Dartmouth, Mass.) took a corner kick, and, after possession was finally gained, junior Alec Watkinson (Merrimack, N.H.) fed Zendan whose shot went to the upper right corner, just under the crossbar.
Late in the first half the Leopards took a 2-1 lead when Zendan attempted to play a long ball on goal. His shot attempt was deflected by a Saint defender, however sophomore Chris Goncalves (Easton, Mass.) gained possession and put home the eventual game winner.
Emmanuel applied pressure late in the half, trying desperately to get an equalizer, but Wentworth
freshman goalkeeper Joe Schallmo (Norwood, Mass.) made a key save to keep his team on top.
Schallmo finished with one save while Emmanuel senior James Withers (East Taunton, Mass.) posted a career high 13 saves. Wentworth had a 29-10 advantage in shots and a 6-1 edge on corner kicks.
Wentworth resumes Commonwealth Coast Conference play on Saturday aft Western New England while Emmanuel hosts Newbury on Thursday.
