LAS VEGAS, Nev.– After a 110 minutes of scoreless action, the Connecticut College men's soccer team fell in heartbreaking fashion in the National Championship game against No. 8 Amherst College, losing 4-3 in penalty kicks on Saturday afternoon from Peter Johann Memorial Field.
It was a slow opening 45 minutes, as both teams tried to find space in the ninth meeting across the past four years between the NESCAC rivals. Conn recorded the first shot of the contest just 1:37 in, but Marco Perugini (Medway, Mass.) dragged his effort wide. Five minutes later, Amherst put the first effort on target, but Peter Silvester (Smiths Parish, Bermuda) made the early save.
The Mammoths thought they had the opening goal just before the half hour mark, but the goal was ruled out for offside and confirmed after a replay review. Two and a half minutes later the Camels got their shot first on goal, but Maurice Pigola (Gorlitz, Germany) was turned aside. Silvester added one more stop, as the game remained scoreless at the break.
Neither side was able to gain an inch in the second half, as both defenses upped their game. Across the 45 minutes, Amherst put a few shots on target, but Silvester stayed strong, while Conn was able to force one save from Max Landa. The Mammoths had one last chance for the winner in regulation, but again Silvester made the save, as the game headed to overtime all square.
Both sides were able to generate a few chances in the both extra sessions, but neither side found the back of the net as the game moved to penalty kicks. Through the first five rounds both sides scored twice as Perugini and Jake Creus (Rye, N.Y.) converted for the Camels, while Silvester stopped three shots. Both teams converted in the sixth round, as Max Haberman (San Diego, Calif.) scored for Conn. In the seventh round the Camels were stopped, and the Mammoths converted to secure the win.
Amherst outshot Conn 24-13, including 6-3 on shots on goal, while holding a 17-0 advantage on corner kicks.
Silvester was spectacular in his final game in goal, finishing with six saves through open play, before adding three more in the shootout. Two of his PK stops came with the game on the line. Jack Kelesoglu (Westfield, N.J.), Pigola, and Spatz all tallied one shot on goal, while Creus, Haberman, and Perugini each converted from the spot.
Max Landa started in goal for Amherst finishing with three saves.
Alessandro Horvath Diano (New Haven, Conn.), Dylan Hoke (Westport, Conn.), and Charlie Miles (Tarrytown, N.Y.) were all named to the All-Tournament team, while Silvester earned Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Tournament.
Conn's season comes to a close with a record of 14-3-7 and the program's second ever appearance in the National Title game.
