MEDFORD, Mass. – The Connecticut College men's soccer team played Bowdoin to a scoreless draw, before falling to the Polar Bears 3-2 on penalty kicks on Saturday from Bello Field. With the penalty kicks loss, Conn's season comes to a close.
Conn started strongly, forcing two saves from Alex Ainsworth in the opening 10 minutes as both Charlie Miles (Tarrytown, N.Y.) and Gavin Mpiana (Cape Town, South Africa) were denied. The game settled down over the next 15 minutes, before TJ Krongard (Montclair, N.J.) came up with a big double save in the 30th minute to keep the game scoreless. The Camels forced two more saves from Ainsworth down the stretch as the game remained scoreless at the break.
Bowdoin started the second half on the front foot, as Krongard was forced to make two saves in the first five minutes. Both teams hunkered down defensively, trying to limit the space for the other team. Krongard came up with another save in the 70th minute, before Conn had a golden chance to take the lead with five minutes remaining. Elliot Spatz (Bellevue, Wash.) was able to step around Ainsworth, but unfortunately struck the post with a tight angle shot, as the game headed to extra time.
Both defenses played even tighter in the first extra session, as Mpiana recorded the only shot, forcing a save from Ainsworth. Neither side was able to generate much in the second extra session as the game remained scoreless, meaning it would be decided by penalty kicks.
Marco Puerugini (Medway, Mass.) stepped up first, and delivered to put Conn in front. Tyler Huck from Bowdoin answered to even it up, before both Ainsworth and Connor Smith (Columbia, S.C.) each made a save. Ainsworth came up with another save before Liam Myers put the Polar Bears in front 2-1. Max Weiss (Weston, Conn.) answered for the Camels before Keito Ishibashi had Bowdoin in front 3-2 heading to the fifth round. Sam Brockelman (Topsfield, Mass.) stepped up for the Camels but was stopped by Ainsworth, as the Polar Bears advanced.
Bowdoin outshot Conn 16-14, while both teams put five shots on target, as the Polar Bears held a slim 3-2 edge on corner kicks.
Krongard got the start in goal, finishing with five saves in 110 minutes, before Smith entered the game in goal for the penalty kicks. Mpiana and Perugini led the Camels with two shots on goal each, while Perugini and Weiss each converted their spot kick.
Ainsworth got the nod in net for Bowdoin finishing with five saves.
Conn's season comes to a close with a record of 12-3-6, their third straight appearance making it to at least the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, and their third NESCAC title game appearance in four years.
