Senior Zane Stanton scored the game-winner in overtime against Assumption today as Stonehill clinched a spot in the NE-10 Championship for the first time since 2011. |
Skyhawks clinch berth in NE-10 Tournament for the first time since 2011
WORCESTER, Mass. (October 25, 2014) – Senior back Zane Stanton (Dartmouth, Massachusetts/St. Sebastian's) scored just over seven minutes into overtime to lift Stonehill College to a 3-2 victory over Assumption College this afternoon in Northeast-10 Conference men's soccer action at Assumption's Multi-Sport Stadium.
With today's win, Stonehill has clinched a spot in the Northeast-10 Conference Championship, which will begin on Tuesday, November 4th. The Skyhawks are making their return trip to the NE-10 Championship following a two-year absence. In its last appearance, Stonehill fell to Franklin Pierce University, 4-0 in the quarterfinal round in 2011.
After over 30 minutes of scoreless action, Stonehill broke through for the game's first goal. Sophomore back Patrick Keogh (Garden City, New York/Garden City) took a feed from junior midfielder R.J. Aprile (Carmel, New York/Kennedy Catholic) and placed the ball inside the right post from 20 yards out at the 33:21 mark. The goal was the first of Keogh's collegiate career.
Stonehill held onto its lead for the remainder of the half, but Assumption got the equalizer in the 60th minute, when senior midfielder Alex Parisi (Methuen, Massachusetts/Central Catholic) scored on an unassisted strike from 25 yards out.
The back and forth continued, as the Skyhawks took the lead for the second time in the 64th minute on senior midfielder Tyler Brondyk's (Mansfield, Massachusetts/Mansfield) third goal of the season.
Still trailing 2-1 with under five minutes remaining in the contest, Assumption struck again to tie the match for a second time. Senior back Matt Flynn (East Falmouth, Massachusetts/Falmouth) connected on a cross with freshman midfielder Dillon Foley (Natick, Massachusetts/Natick), who one-touched the ball past Stonehill junior goalkeeper Luke Besse (Hamilton, Massachusetts/Hamilton-Wenham Regional).
Playing in just their second overtime contest of the season, the Skyhawks emerged victorious on Stanton's goal at the 97:17 mark. Stanton capitalized when Assumption junior goalkeeper Dana King (Windham, Maine/Windham) misplayed a ball in the box, and the senior defender tapped in the game-winner.
Making his eighth start of the season in net, Besse was solid, stopping three of the five shots that came his way. On the other end, King made four saves for the Greyhounds.
Stonehill (9-5-1, 7-4-0 NE-10) will be back in action on Tuesday afternoon at Saint Michael's College, before returning to Skyhawk Field next Saturday to host Le Moyne College for Senior Day at noon. Assumption (2-10-2, 2-7-2 NE-10) is also back in action on Tuesday afternoon at the University of New Haven.
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