BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore Joshua Cochran's (Bellville, Ohio) goal with 2:43 remaining in overtime lifted the Gordon College men's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Wentworth Institute of Technology in a Commonwealth Coast Conference contest played at Sweeney Field.
With the win the Fighting Scots improve to 6-2 overall in CCC play while the Leopards drop their third straight to stand at 6-3 (1-2).
The Leopards got on the board early in the first half when freshman James Morrison (New South Wales, Australia) scored off his own rebound. Senior Sam Martins originally took a corner kick from the left end and sent it in Morrison's direction. Morrison's initial shot was blocked by a trio of defenders, however he gained control of his rebound and put a shot to the top right corner at the 15:11 mark.
Freshman Noah Martins (Dartmouth, Mass.) attempted to extend the Leopards' lead late in the session on a two-man rush down the far side, however, his shot from outside the box on the far side was turned aside on the far post by Gordon junior Sammy Wilson (Ansonia, Conn.).
The Fighting Scots evened the score at 31:36 when Cole buried a feed along the far side of the field from Cochran. Cole attempted to net Gordon's second marker minutes later, but freshman keeper Matthew Sekerak (Winthrop, Maine) denied his shot at 32:24.
Both teams entered the break tied at one goal apiece, however, Wentworth senior Alberto Benamu (Caracas, Venezuela) attempted to push the hosts ahead early in the second half, but his shot from right outside the box curved into the hands of Gordon junior goalie Josh Spoonhour (Greencastle, Pa.) at 53:37. Gordon freshman Ian Burkhart (Lancaster, Pa.) also attempted to net the go-ahead goal, however, the Black and Gold's back line blocked his attempt.
In the first overtime, Gordon and Wentworth each recorded two shots, respectively, but none of the four attempts resulted in a game-winning goal.
With the score tied 1-1 heading into the second extra session, Gordon had a chance to end the game at 104:43 when senior Evan Crocker (Akron, Ohio) put a shot on net which was denied by Sekerak. After a Leopard foul, Cole took the free kick from roughly 40 yards out where Cochran provided the heroics.
Spoonhour and Sekerak each finished with eight saves. Wentworth had a 20-17 edge on shots and a 6-3 advantage on corner kicks.
Both teams return to action next week as Wentworth hosts Lesley University on Wednesday, September 30 at 7:00 p.m., while Gordon travels to Lasell College on Tuesday, September 29 for a 4:00 p.m. kick-off.
