Seahawks drop season finale to Pride, 2-1

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – October 28, 2023 – The Springfield College men's soccer team earned a 2-1 win over New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) foe Salve Regina University in its regular season finale on Brock-Affleck Field.

With the win, Springfield improved to 5-6-5 overall and to 2-3-3 in the league standings with nine points. Salve Regina sees its first season in the NEWMAC come to a close with a mark of 6-10-2 overall and 0-6-2 in conference play.

Springfield has secured the sixth seed in the upcoming NEWMAC Championship Tournament and will travel to either Wheaton College or MIT for the quarterfinal round on Tuesday, October 31 at a time to be determined later.

Springfield keeper Noah Pote (Washington, Conn.) singlehandedly saved the Pride's season as it needed a win to make it to the postseason today. With 1:04 to play in the game, a penalty kick was called and Jordan Borges lined up for the kick. Pote dove to his left to stop the initial attempt and then dove again to save Borges' follow up shot to stop Salve Regina from equalizing the match at 2-2.

Springfield scored the game's first goal just 4:40 into the contest as sophomore Parker Thornton (Malden, Mass.) finished a long through ball from the far side of the field from first-year Connor Policarpio (Bristol, Conn.) for the early 1-0 edge. For Thornton, it was his third goal of the season, while Policarpio picked up his third helper of the year.

Three minutes prior to the halftime break, Springfield doubled its advantage as first-year Cole Sampson (Hingham, Mass.) notched his first collegiate goal and first collegiate point off a long pass from sophomore Matias Otero (Rye Brook, N.Y.). Otero notched his first assist of the year and first point of his collegiate career.

Salve Regina cut its deficit to just one with 14:32 to play in the match when Ethan David notched his third goal of the year after he finished a pass from Liam Berlingieri. Both teams had looks at another goal over the final 15 minutes of the contest, but both Pote and Salve Regina keeper Aidan Figueira stopped every attempt for both sides.

Statistically, Salve Regina held a 21-12 advantage in shots and a 5-4 edge in corner kicks. Pote improved to 5-6-5 on the season with a career-high ten saves for the Pride.

Springfield will be making its first trip back to the NEWMAC Tournament since 2021 next week against either Wheaton College or MIT. Official seedings and game times will be revealed by the league office at the conclusion of all regular season contests.