EC Opens Conference Play with Loss
Sept. 9, 2006
BEVERLY, MA - Junior midfielder Chris Hartmann (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) scored 8:10 into the second half to snap a scoreless tie and his teammates added a pair of late insurance goals to propel Wentworth Institute of Technology (2-0, 1-0 Commonwealth Coast Conference) to a 3-0 win over Endicott (0-4, 0-1 CCC) in the CCC opener for both teams.
Both teams had first-half chances to get on the board, including a pair of point-blank attempts by the Leopards. Senior forward Dan Marra (Sea Cliff, NY) flicked a header that Endicott senior Colin Kemble (Saugerties, NY/Saugerties) was able to control in the 24th minute, while Hartmann blasted a shot from just inside the 18-yard box on a clean break, but again, Kemble came up big.
At 53:10, Hartmann intercepted a clearing pass from a Gull defender and blasted a shot to the top right corner to give Wentworth a 1-0 lead. In the 80th minute, Marra tallied his second in as many games when he converted a direct kick from just outside the 18. The Leopards rounded out the scoring when junior midfielder Nick Maryanopolis (Gloversville, NY) headed in a cross from sophomore midfielder Matt Martins (Bristol, RI) to the near-side post.
Despite the loss the Gulls once again got strong play from junior captain Eric Booth (Belchertown, MA/Belchertown) as he anchored EC's defense. Chris Croteau (Groveland, MA/Pentucket Reg.) and Pirapong Sirikietsoong (Bankok, Thailand) spearheaded the Endicott offense with a number of well timed runs and scoring chances.
Freshman Mike Gregory (Rockaway, NJ) recorded his second consecutive shutout to open the season, making nine saves. Kemble turned aside 12 shots for the Gulls, who were outshot, 26-21. Endicott will return home to take on New England College on Tuesday night as they continue their conference schedule.