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Cole, C.
2
Western New Eng. WNE (10-8-3, 3-4-2 CCC)
4
Winner Gordon GC (14-4-1, 6-2-1 CCC)
Western New Eng. WNE
(10-8-3, 3-4-2 CCC)
2
Final
4
Gordon GC
(14-4-1, 6-2-1 CCC)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western New Eng. WNE 0 2 2
Gordon GC 3 1 4

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Men's Soccer Builds Big Lead, Holds Off Rally for Quarterfinal Win

WENHAM, Mass.—Four different Gordon Men's Soccer players netted a goal, as the Fighting Scots built up a four-goal lead over the first 50 minutes and held off a late rally to beat Western New England 4-2 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference quarterfinals at the Brigham Athletic Complex. The Fighting Scots move on to the semifinal round and will host third-seeded Roger Williams on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
 
The Fighting Scots knew they would need another quick start against a tough Golden Bears squad that started slow in the regular season matchup in Springfield. Gordon took a 3-0 win in the first matchup between the two schools.
 
Fresh off a loss to Roger Williams in the regular season finale, Gordon dispelled the bad taste with a goal in the 12th minute by Evan Crocker (Akron, Ohio). Crocker gathered a failed clear about 25 yards out on the right wing and blasted a ball directly toward the left side of goal. The shot took an odd bounce off the slick turf and pinged against the side of the post before finding the twine for the score.
 
Only 40 seconds later, freshman Ben Gradert (Hudson, Ohio) had prime position in front of the net on a John Schwien (Garnet Valley, Pa.) corner from the right side. The 6'1" Gradert rose above the Golden Bears defense and buried a header over the mitts of keeper Kevin Strobel (Rockland, Mass.) for the second goal.
 
Western New England's defense struggled to keep Gordon from peppering shots at Strobel, who was an All-CCC awardee for the Golden Bears this season. Strobel would finish with six saves in the game. Caleb Cole (Coatesville, Pa.) made it 3-0 just five minutes later in the 18th minute on a simple strike from 30 yards away. Schwien threaded a pass to Cole, who found himself wide open in the middle of the field. The CCC Offensive Player of the Year took one touch and got over the ball enough to send a sinking ball into the left corner of goal.
 
The Fighting Scots dominated the first half of play, outshooting the Golden Bears 11-0 in the frame and 7-0 on goal. Gordon also had four corner kicks compare to zero for the Golden Bears.
 
Gordon kept the pressure up coming out of the break, quickly earning a free kick just outside the 18-yard box in the 49th minute. Free-kick specialist Andy Guthrie (Beaver Falls, Pa.)—an All-CCC honorable mention player—curled the kick around the wall to the right and straight into the goal untouched.
 
The Fighting Scots let their guard down over the final 20 minutes, as the scrappy Golden Bears looked to find something to get back into the game. Connor Rubin (Guilderland, N.Y.) was the spark Western New England was looking for, as the freshman came off the bench and chipped a ball over a diving Josh Spoonhour (Greencastle, Pa.) for a score in the 69th minute. Sophomore Alan Haberern (Durham, Conn.) pieced the play together and was credited with the assist.
 
Western New England crept closer in the 78th minute when Logan Pingree (Middletown, Conn.) flicked a ball with the outside of his foot that slow hopped its way just inside the right goalpost. The Golden Bears looked like they might have an incredible third goal in the 84th minute, but a throw in went into the goal untouched and was called back.
 
The Golden Bears end the season at 10-8-3 overall and 3-4-2 in conference play. Gordon improves to 14-4-1 and will look to get revenge on the Hawks of Roger Williams who return to Wenham for the second time in a week. Roger Williams has beaten the Scots in their previous two matchups, including knocking Gordon out of the CCC semifinals last season. 
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