BOSTON, Mass. – Junior Chris Beaulieu's (Carver, mass.) goal with 1:02 remaining in regulation snapped a 1-all tie and lifted the Massachusetts Maritime Academy men's soccer team to a 2-1, non-conference victory over Wentworth Institute of Technology.
With the win the Buccaneers improve to 2-0 on the season while the Leopards see their record fall to 2-2.
Wentworth had an early chance when junior Emmett Basaca (San Diego, Calif.) served a corner kick into the box. Classmate Joe Kalil (Franklin, Mass.) got a head on the ball, however the bid was denied by sophomore Connor Murphy (Mashpee, Mass.).
At the 19:44 mark, freshman Joe Limoli (Peabody, Mass.) sent a long pass through the middle of the field where sophomore Noah Martins (Dartmouth, Mass.) collected the ball and put a shot past Murphy to the left side.
While the Leopards carried play for most of the remainder of the half, they were not able to add to their lead and held a 1-0 advantage at the break. Shots through the first 45 minutes were in favor of the hosts, 8-6.
Mass. Maritime almost tied the game in the 51st minute, however senior Thomas McCarthy's (Tybee Island, Ga.) shot from right in front was stopped by sophomore Matt Sekerak (Winthrop, Maine). In the 61st minute, the Black & Gold appeared to double their lead however a goal was negated due to an offside call.
A little over a minute after Wentworth had a goal called off, the Buccaneers evened the score on a goal from senior Scott Matoain (Mashpee, Mass.). Freshman Justin Le (Springfield, Mass.) served a cross to Matoain, who headed the ball past Sekerak.
Basaca nearly gave Wentworth a 2-1 lead in the 65th minute as he blasted a shot from 30 yards out which clanked off the crossbar. In the 88th minute, McCarthy gained possession of a rebound but would put his attempt over the net.
Freshman Adam Crawford (Kingston, Mass.) put a shot on net which was saved by Sekerak, however Beaulieu managed to come up with the rebound and put home the game winner with 1:02 remaning.
Junior Mike Pruchnik (Rochester, Mass.) made three saves in the second half to pick up the win while Murphy had three stops in the first half. Sekerak made nine saves on the night. Mass. Maritime had a 15-13 shot advantage and a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.
Wentworth is at Curry on Saturday.
