NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Connecticut College men's soccer team defeated #9 Williams 1-0 on Saturday afternoon as the Camels celebrated senior day on Freeman Field.
Conn dominated the opening half, outshooting visiting Williams 11-1. The Camels started quickly with four shots in the opening 10 minutes, but Gavin Mpiana (Cape Town, South Africa) went wide, before Marco Perugini (Medway, Mass.) and Max Haberman (San Diego, Calif.) had shots blocked.
With just over 10 minutes left in the half, Conn came closest to scoring, but Perugini was denied by Kai Darrell. Williams answered with their first shot a minute later, but TJ Krongard (Montclair, N.J.) came up with the save on Kellan Grace to keep the game scoreless at the break.
The Ephs started the second half on the front foot with two shots in the first five minutes, forcing another save from Krongard. However, just minutes later, the Camels struck first. Gavin Vanden Berg (Lake Forest Park, Wash.) kept a ball in along the endline, playing a pass across goal to Perugini who tapped home to make it 1-0.
10 minutes later, Dylan Hoke (Westport, Conn.) put a header towards goal, but was denied by Darrell. Williams upped the pressure looking for the equalizer, and they nearly found it with four minutes left. JJ Ruehlemann hit the post, with the rebound falling to Evan Vasquez, but Krongard came up with the crucial stop to preserve the lead. The Camels closed out the final minutes to earn the 1-0 win.
Conn outshot Williams 18-6, including 4-3 on shots goal, while holding a 7-4 edge on corner kicks.
Krongard earned the clean sheet, finishing with three saves. Perugini tallied the lone goal of the contest, as Vanden Berg chipped in the assist.
Darrell got the start in goal for Williams finishing with three saves.
With the win, Conn clinched a top-five finish in the conference, and can finish as high as second, pending results on the final day.
Conn (8-2-4, 4-2-3 NESCAC) wraps up the regular season on Tuesday night as the Camels travel to Middletown, Conn. to take on Wesleyan at 8:00 p.m.
