Endicott ends Salve Regina win streak, 3-1

SEAHAWK MEN'S SOCCER RESULTS
Endicott 3, Salve Regina 1
Reynolds Field - Newport, R.I.
Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Summary
Endicott College clinched at least the No. 2 seed in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's soccer championships with a 3-1 victory over Salve Regina University today at Reynolds Field. Endicott ended Salve Regina's win streak at six games and unbeaten streak at nine games. The Seahawks qualify for the postseason as well, but need help from other teams to gain a home playoff game. The CCC men's soccer championships start Saturday, October 28, on the campuses of the top four seeds.

Series and Streaks
The Gulls lead the all-time series, 11-6-3. Today was the first time since 2009 (when Salve Regina won, 5-0) that a meeting between these two schools was decided by more than one goal. Salve Regina's season-long win streak and unbeaten streak end at six and nine games, respectively.

Three Stars of the Game

1. Endicott sophomore Evan Couchot (Mason, Ohio) scored his team-leading ninth and tenth goals of the season, the game's first two scores, in the second half.
2. Endicott senior Connor Couchot (Mason, Ohio) notched his first goal of the season with a header off a long throw in from classmate Brendan McLaughlin (Colchester, Conn.). McLaughlin had two assists on the day.
3. Salve Regina junior Matthew O'Donnell (Pittsburgh, Pa.) scored his fifth goal of the season on a penalty kick in the 80th minute, spoiling the shutout bid of Gulls' freshman goalkeeper Will Manuel (Mount Pleasant, S.C.).

Key Stat of the Game
Salve Regina and Endicott both had three corner kicks in the second half; in the first half, the Gulls had none while the Seahawks had four (with the wind at their backs) and were unable to convert on any.

Turning Point
After scoring the game's first goal in the 71st minute, Evan Couchot dribbled into the top right corner of the box and unloaded a cannon past Salve Regina keeper Michael Payan (Fort Lee, N.J.) for a 2-0 lead.

Quick Hits

• Salve Regina avoided its third shutout of the season (1-0 at Johnson & Wales on Sept. 3; 4-0 at Western New England on Sept. 23).
• The Seahawks could finish anywhere from No. 3 to No. 5 seed, pending the outcome of 7 p.m. games at Gordon College and Wentworth Institute of Technology.
• A Gordon victory over Western New England would give the Gulls the No. 1 seed.
• Will Manuel finished with two saves while Michael Payan had three saves.
• Salve Regina finishes its CCC regular season 5-3-1 after starting 0-2-1.

Next Up?
Salve Regina (11-4-3, 5-3-1 CCC) competes as either the No. 3, 4, or 5 seed in the upcoming postseason (Sat., Oct. 28).
Endicott (10-4-3, 6-1-2 CCC) competes as either the No. 1 or 2 seed in the upcoming postseason (Sat., Oct. 28).