Story courtesy of Rob Palardy, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information

BOSTON, Mass. – The Lesley University men’s soccer team faced off against The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) opponent Wentworth Institute of Technology in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Quarterfinals but lost to the Leopards 2-1, ending their 2009 season.

The Lynx finished the 2009 season with a remarkable record of 15-5-2 (5-1-1 NECC), a program best since their inaugural season in 2006.

The number one seed in the ECAC Tournament, Wentworth got on the board early in the match at 3:11 after Ben Nasman (LENOX, Mass./Lenox Memorial) collected a series of passing from Nick Brown (SOMERSET, Mass./Somerset) and Patrick Platner (NORTHFORD, Conn./North Branford) and sent a kick to the left corner of the net.

For over 80 minutes both teams had their opportunities to score but it remained 1-0 in favor of the home Leopards until Wentworth’s John Golden (WHITMAN, Mass./Cardinal Spellman) headed in a corner kick pass from Jesse Paolella (EAST GREENICH, R.I./Bishop Hendicken) for what proved to be the game-winning goal.

Twenty-two seconds later, the Lynx were finally able to put one in the net at 85:31. Scott Wheeler (EAST HAMPTON, Conn./East Hampton) received a touch pass from Zach Rocha (NEW BEDFORD, Mass./New Bedford) and placed a shot to the right corner of the net to make the score 2-1.

Golden’s goal gave Wentworth the one-goal victory and helped them advance into the next round of the ECAC Tournament this weekend. Wentworth improved to 13-8 with the win.

Lesley’s Zachary Almeida-Beers (REHOBOTH, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth) made 12 saves on the day while giving up two goals. His counterpart in net, Brian Pearsall (SANFORD, Maine/Sanford) from Wentworth, made three saves and gave up one goal.

Wentworth outshot Lesley 23-14 in the match and held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.