Pilgrims Outlast Gulls in Thriller
Sept. 13, 2006
BEVERLY, MA - The Gulls showed off their resiliency Tuesday night against the New England College Pilgrims. EC battled back from a three goal deficit but were outlasted by the Pilgrims, 3-2.
NEC took a three goal lead into the late stages of the game before the Gulls battled back scoring two goals in the final twenty minutes just falling short of the tie.
The Gulls picked up their first goal of the season on a penalty kick that Eric Booth (Belchertown, MA/Belchertown) converted to pull EC back into the game at 3-1. Kyle Schmutte (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Reg.) added a second goal for the Gulls when he headed a free kick from Chris Croteau (Groveland, MA/Pentucket) past NEC goalkeeper Nick Kropelin (Jeffersonvile, VT/Lamoille Union).
The two late goals would not be enough however, as NEC was able to hold off Endicott long enough to preserve the one goal victory.
NEC opened the scoring early getting a goal less than two minutes into the game when Drew Warwick (Exeter, NH/Amesbury) found Jordon Colonese (Guilford, CT/Guilford) just outside of the Gulls six-yard box for the Pilgrims first goal.
The Gulls would rebound after the early goal despite playing flat early in the first half. EC took control of the game midway through the first half thanks to the midfield play of Booth, Pranam Lipinski (Adams, MA/Hoosac Valley) and Pirapong Sirikietsoong (Bankok, Thailand).
Although the Gulls dominated much of the first half they were unable to find the back of the net despite a number of chances from Sirikietsoong and Lipinski, along with solid runs from John Bedard (East Longmeadow, MA/ East Longmeadow).
Colonese added a second goal for the Pilgrims in the second half after he was tripped up in the penalty area and awarded a penalty kick. NEC's game winning goal would come midway through the second half as Rob Kennedy (Lynnfield, MA/ Lynnfield) served up a cross that was headed home by Eric Sheedy (Beverly, MA/E. Mechlenburg).
Endicott falls to 0-5 (0-2 CCC) while NEC improves to 1-4 (1-1 CCC). The Gulls next take the field against CCC rivals Roger Williams University Saturday afternoon at home. The Pilgrims return home and face Daniel Webster College on Monday, in Henniker, NH.