NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Connecticut College men's soccer team opened up the NESCAC tournament, taking down visiting six-seed Hamilton College, 3-1 after extra time. With the win, Conn remains unbeaten on the season at 11-0-5, while Hamilton falls to 6-5-5.
Hamilton (6-5-5) came out of the gates quickly, firing off the first three shots of the contest, but none of the attempts were on target. Conn (11-0-5) started to settle into the game, tallying their first shot at 19:53, but Jorge Mendo's (Zaragoza, Spain) chance was blocked. The teams traded possession, before a lovely through ball from Mendo connected with Elliot Spatz (Bellevue, Wash.), who calmly put the ball in the net to give the Camels a 1-0 at 33:49, which they took into the break.
The second half continued much like the first, as the teams traded opportunities, with Conn continuing to lead 1-0. With time winding down, the Continentals upped the pressure and were awarded a late corner kick, with just over three minutes remaining in regulation. On the ensuing corner, Luke Peplowski crossed the ball across the face of goal, redirecting off a Camel, as Hamilton tied the game at one. The teams remained tied as the game went to extra time.
In extra time, Conn took over, and were rewarded with the go-ahead goal just six minutes into the first period of overtime. Matt Quiros-Newton (Alajuela, Costa Rica) collected a loose ball and found Spatz in front of goal, tapping it in, to put the Camels up 2-1 at 96:14. Midway through the second extra period, Conn got the insurance marker to see them go through, as Spatz played a ball across goal to Gavin Mpiana (Cape Town, South Africa) who beat the keeper to the ball, firing into the net, extending the lead to 3-1 at 106:17. The Camels saw out the final three plus minutes to come away with the 3-1.
Conn outshot Hamilton 17-15 overall, including an 8-4 edge on shots on target, while the Continentals held a decisive 13-4 advantage on corner kicks.
Peter Silvester (Smiths Parish, Bermuda) got the start in goal, making four saves on five shots, earning the win. Spatz was instrumental in the attack, playing a part in all three goals, tallying five points on two goals and one assist, while Mpiana picked up a goal, and Mendo and Quiros-Newton both added an assist.
Kai Haesslein got the nod between the sticks, making five saves on eight shots. Peplowski paced Hamilton with four total shots, while four Continentals each recorded a single shot.
Conn advances to the NESCAC semifinals for the third consecutive season, taking on Amherst College on Saturday in Middlebury, Vt. at a time to be announced.
