SPRINGFIELD, Mass.—Two first-half goals spurred on Gordon Men's Soccer to spoil Western New England's Homecoming festivities on Saturday afternoon. Matt Chartier (Concord, N.H.) scored his team-leading fifth goal of the season, while the Caleb Cole (Coatesville, Pa.) to Josh Cochran (Bellville, Ohio) connection remained full steam ahead to pitch a 2-0 result in Commonwealth Coast Conference play.
The Fighting Scots peppered the Golden Bears' cage from the opening tip, as Danny Nkhalamba (Concord, N.H.) forced WNE keeper Kevin Strobel into a save less than a minute into the game. Gordon outshot its opponents 9-0 in the opening period, with the Golden Bears rarely getting the ball into their offensive third during the first 45 minutes.
Gordon's six shot of the game got them on the scoreboard in the 18th minute when Chartier took a look from downtown. The rookie sent a rocket to the upper 90 on the left side of the net, not giving Strobel a chance at the save.
The Fighting Scots put another one on the board just before the first half whistle. Cochran put home his fourth of the season in the 43rd minute, heading in a corner kick from Cole.
The Golden Bears had a few decent looks in the second half, but Gordon was able to alleviate any pressure in its defensive third to preserve the shutout.
Gordon is off for a week until hosting CCC opponent UNE on Homecoming Weekend next Saturday on the Quad.
Quick Hits
- · Cole has assisted on all four of Cochran's goals this season, the last three of which have been headers off of free kicks.
- · Cole also pushed his point streak to six games with his first-half assist. Gordon is 6-0-1 when he scores a point this year.
- · Josh Spoonhour (Greencastle, Pa.) has pitched three shutouts in Gordon's last four games after a tough start to the year. His goals-against average has dipped from 1.64 to .97 in that span.
- · Gordon and Endicott are tied for the conference lead for only eight goals allowed to start the year.
