Gilmartin scores first career goal for Skyhawks
Freshman Kevin Gilmartin scored his first career goal for the Skyhawks on Saturday. |
EASTON, Mass. (September 18, 2010) – The Stonehill College men’s soccer team, currently ranked 10th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division II East Regional poll, posted a 1-1 tie with Bentley University in double overtime Saturday at Skyhawk Field.
Freshman Kevin Gilmartin (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock) scored his first career goal for the Skyhawks, and senior goalkeeper Brandon McFarlane (Norwich, Conn./Norwich Free Academy) finished with three saves on the afternoon. Bentley got a goal from graduate student Bill Nussdorfer (Harvard, Mass./Bromfield School) to tie the game in the final minutes of regulation.
After few scoring chances for either side during the first half, Stonehill increased the offensive pressure in the second half but were held off the board by Falcons goalkeeper Mike Nikiforov (Framingham, Mass./Framingham), who made four saves on the day. Gilmartin broke through in the 84th minute, set up by junior Michael White (Lisbon, N.H./Lisbon Regional) for a wide shot from the right side and a 1-0 lead for the Skyhawks.
Less than two minutes later, Bentley netted the equalizer on a free kick play, as sophomore Weston Zeiner (North Granby, Conn./Granby Memorial) tapped the ball forward to Nussdorfer at the top of the box.
McFarlane and the Stonehill defense held off Bentley for the two extra periods, with McFarlane’s third save of the day coming on an attempt off a Bentley corner kick in the 94th minute, which he was able to tip back over the crossbar. Junior Christopher Agan (Niskayuna, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy) added a key defensive save in the early minutes of the second overtime period.
Gilmartin stepped up to create two late chances for Stonehill, but hit the crossbar in the 106th minute and had a breakaway attempt blocked in the final 50 seconds.
Stonehill (3-1-1, 1-1-1 NE-10) next visits Merrimack College on September 22 at 7 p.m. Bentley (3-1-1, 1-1-1 NE-10) will play at New York Institute of Technology on September 21 at 4 p.m.
