NEW LONDON, Conn. - The Connecticut College men's soccer team put together a dominant performance to shut out No. 15 Babson 3-0 on Wednesday night at Silfen Field. Elliot Spatz (Bellevue, Wash.), Augie Djerdjaj (Mahopac, N.Y.), and Gavin Vanden Berg (Lake Forest Park, Wash.) tallied scores for the Camels to earn the major non-conference victory. 

Wednesday's contest marked the third time in the past five games that the Camels have squared off with a nationally-ranked opponent. Following razor thin defeats to No. 9 Hamilton and No. 12 Middlebury, Conn bounced back with a resounding win against the formidable Beavers.

From the onset of the contest, the Camels pushed the pace offensively, creating chances seemingly at every turn. The hosts threatened early, and nearly got on the board in the third minute when a Camels' corner kick was headed by Djerdjaj in front of the net. The attempt was barely snuffed out by Beavers' keeper Walker White to keep the game scoreless.

However, Conn found the back of the net just over 15 minutes later when Steve Yeonas (McLean, Va.) found Nate Pilson (Wilmington, Del.) on an effective through ball down the far side of the field into the Beavers' penalty box. Pilson drew the goalkeeper out of the crease and before White had a chance to make a play, the Camels' sophomore dished a centering pass to Spatz. With a wide open net, the first year forward easily placed the ball into the net for the game's first goal.

Just eight minutes later, with the Camels on the attack again, Jake Creus (Rye, N.Y.) found Djerdjaj in the center of the pitch just inside the penalty box. The reigning NESCAC Player of the Year struck a brilliant ball with his right foot that landed in the top-right corner of the net, past the diving White. For Djerdjaj, the score was his fifth of the season.

Conn concluded the one-sided first half with a 2-0 lead, outshooting its opponents 11-2. The back line for the Camels was equally impressive by stifling the Beavers' offensive chances and not allowing a single shot on goal throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Babson (8-3-2 overall) took a more aggressive approach following the halftime break. The Beavers nearly pulled within one goal in the 48^th minute. Midfielder Samuel Kalishman made a fine attempt on a strike just outside the penalty area. The ball was headed for the top portion of the net, but Camels goalkeeper Peter Silvester (Smiths Parish, Bermuda) made an excellent save, knocking the ball over the crossbar. The attempt would be the best opportunity for the Beavers for the remainder of the contest.

The Camels added on to their lead in the 77^th minute off a corner kick from Alessandro Horvath Diano (New Haven, Conn.). The junior crossed the ball into the box and it caromed in the air to outside the far post. Marco Cerezo (Malaga, Spain) was able to use his head to center the cross to the middle of the box. Vanden Berg was right there waiting and headed the pass in for his fourth goal of the season. 

With a 3-0 lead, the Camels held off the Beavers for the remaining 13 minutes to earn their first win over Babson in three meetings all-time.

Silvester earned a clean sheet and the victory for Conn, registering three saves. White was busy between the posts, tallying seven saves during the defeat. The Camels attempted 19 shots compared to eight from the Beavers.

Connecticut College (6-3-2 overall) will next travel to Colby for a NESCAC matchup with the Mules on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 2 p.m.   

 

Wednesday night W! Conn College men's soccer shuts out No. 15 Babson 3-0.
?? Elliot Spatz - 20'
?? Augie Djerdjaj - 28'
?? Gavin Vanden Berg - 77'

?? https://t.co/RCaEn1ZBTy pic.twitter.com/n69zFjSEjs

— Connecticut College Athletics (@CamelAthletics) October 13, 2022