BEVERLY, Mass. – The eighth-seeded Lesley University men's soccer team fell to fourth-seeded Colby-Sawyer College 1-0 on a bright, cold afternoon in Beverly, Mass. on the campus of host Endicott College in ECAC Semifinal action. Colby-Sawyer found the back of the net in the 55th minute for the only goal of the match as the Chargers will advance to play second-seeded Endicott in the ECAC Championship match tomorrow at 1:00p. The Lynx, who advanced to the Semifinals following a 2-1 upset of top-seed Norwich University this past Wednesday, end their season at 11-7-4.
The first half was a battle as Lesley outshot Colby-Sawyer 7-6 while Chargers goalkeeper, senior Nick Austin (Westerly, R.I.) made three key saves in the half. In the opening minutes of the half senior Jordan Santos (Middlebury, Conn.) cranked a shot on goal for the Lynx, but Austin was able to make a leaping save for the stop.
Two minutes later the Chargers answered back when senior Alex Ortega (Milton, Vt.) sent a blast that sailed just over the crossbar to keep the match scoreless. After both sides continued to work their final thirds at the 28-minute mark, the Lynx almost earned a tally on the board after junior Ryan Richardson (Santa Barbara, Calif.) went for a crisp header, but the ball just fell wide to the left.
Eight minutes later, Richardson forced another shot on goal but Austin again was able to make the stop. In the final minutes of the half the Lynx would have one more big opportunity as senior Herbin Berreondo (Brighton, Mass.) sent his first shot of the day at the Chargers goal, but a stealthy Austin was able to make his third stop of the half to keep the game stuck at a 0-0 stalemate to end the half.
The second half was controlled by Colby-Sawyer as they outshot the Lynx 9-4 while earning three corner kicks. At the 54 minute mark the Chargers got on the board after sophomore Andrew Clothier (Matamata, New Zealand) notched his fifth goal of the season after controlling a feed from freshman Eddie Garcia (Damascus, Md.) and ripped a shot from 10 yards out that rocketed into the far corner of the goal.
The Lynx nearly tied it in the final seconds of regulation when Richardson carried the ball into the middle of the field and sent a right-footed blast from 25 yards out, but his attempt sailed just wide of the left side post.
Release courtesy Endicott College Sports Information