By Adam Sherf '23

MEDFORD, Conn. – Sophomore Alessandro Horvath Diano (New Haven, Conn.) registered his second goal of the season in the 89th minute to propel the No. 6 Connecticut College men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Redlands in the third round of the NCAA Tournament at Tufts' Bello Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
With the victory, the Camels advanced to play the host Jumbos in the NCAA "Elite Eight" for the second consecutive postseason tournament.
 
Looking to set the tone early, the Camels showcased a suffocating full-field press, which in tandem with their tremendous ability to maintain possession, led to numerous chances at goal in the opening half.
 
Highlighted by MT Tshuma's (Magwegwe, Zimbabwe) bid in the 22nd minute, the Camels registered nearly a half dozen shots, but were unable to find the back of the net.
 
After taking a 0-0 draw into the locker room, the Camels returned to the pitch and immediately put immense pressure on the Bulldogs backline, peppering the freshman goalkeeper, Seth Lawrence, with shot after shot.
 
Despite notably outshooting the Bulldogs, the Camels found themselves in a stalemate midway through the second half when the Bulldogs looked to steal a 1-0 lead as a lone attacker came barrelling down field in pursuit of a high bouncing ball. However, he was met by junior goalkeeper, Sam Maidenberg (South Orange, N.J.), who cut down the angle and forced the ball over the net and out of play.
 
After shaking off the lone Redlands threat, the Camels returned to form as they dominantly held possession and continued to wear down the Bulldogs' back line.
 
Coming off the bench with just under 30 minutes to play, sophomore Dylan Zane (Montego Bay, Jamaica) made his impact felt as he delivered cross after cross.
 
With 15 minutes to play, sophomore midfielder Jack Marvel (Marion, Mass.) found himself on the receiving end of a Zane cross and drilled a shot off the post. Despite the frustrations of being unable to crack the scoreboard, the Camels maintained their composure and dominant sense of play.
 
While the scoreboard continued to read 0-0 with just minutes to play, it was becoming increasingly apparent that the Camels were in the driving seat, as they had registered more than three times as many shots as their opponent.
 
However, of all 20 shots that the Camels took, none was more important than that of their sophomore defenseman. With one minute to play in regulation, Tshuma cut free and unleashed a low and hard driven shot from the top of the 18 yard box. With eyes for the bottom corner, Tshuma's shot had Camel Nation on the edge of their seats, but a last second deflection set up a Conn Corner.
 
With just around a minute to play, sophomore midfielder Rye Jaran (Downingtown, Pa.) delivered a high arching cross into the crowded penalty area.
 
Overcoming the tremendous size advantage that the Bulldogs held over the Camels, Horvath Diano soared above the crowd and buried the much-anticipated game-winning goal.
 
Maidenberg earned the shutout victory for the Camels by only needing to make one save. Seth Lawrence of Redlands (17-3-1) turned away six shots in the losing effort.
 
Having won three straight, Connecticut College (16-4-1) is now scheduled to play Tufts for the third time this season in the NCAA Tournament "Elite Eight" Round tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. for the right to advance to the national semifinals in Greensboro, N.C.