BEVERLY, Mass. – A penalty kick in the 84th minute by Endicott College senior Abdulla Al Khalifa (Riffa, Bahrain) proved to be the difference as the Gulls edged Wentworth Institute of Technology, 1-0, on Wednesday afternoon in Commonwealth Coast Conference action.
The Leopards, who earlier in the day were ranked 11th in the first NCAA Regional Rankings, see their five-game win streak come to an end, falling to 11-4 overall and 4-3 in CCC play while the Gulls improve to 12-1-2 overall and remain undefeated in CCC play (7-0).
Following a scoreless first half, which saw Wentworth tally seven shots, Endicott commenced the second session with back-to-back shots from seniors Mark Greco (Belchertown, Mass.) and Diego Slobotzky (Mexico City, Mexico), however, neither attempt landed in the Black and Gold's net. Freshman Noah Martins (Dartmouth, Mass.) registered the Leopards' initial attempt of the session at 54:03, but his shot was turned aside by junior Nick Weinstein (Trumbull, Conn.) from outside the box.
Minutes later, freshman James Morrison (New South Wales, Australia) attempted to break the stalemate, however, his shot sailed wide left of the Endicott net. The Gulls accounted for the next four shots before senior Alberto Benhamu (Caracas, Venezuela) saw his shot deflected away by Weinstein.
Endicott would locate the back of the net at 83:17 when the Gulls were awarded a penalty kick following a foul against Wentworth. Al Khalifa sent his penalty kick to the low left corner to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Benhamu did attempt to even the score with a shot at 89:07, but a diving Weinstein stopped his shot to secure the win.
Weinstein concluded the match with eight stops, including five saves in the second half. Freshman Matthew Sekerak (Winthrop, Maine) recorded six stops, including a quartet of deflections in the second stanza.
Endicott outshot Wentworth, 17-16, but the Leopards held an advantage in corners, four to three.
Both teams return to action this Saturday, October 24 as Wentworth hosts Curry, while Endicott visits Salve Regina. Both matches are scheduled to commence at 3:00 p.m.
