Wildcats Tip Monks in OT, 2-1

Wildcats Tip Monks in OT, 2-1

STANDISH, ME – Johnson & Wales University (2-1-1, 1-0-0 GNAC) tipped Saint Joseph's College (1-2-1, 0-1-0 GNAC), 2-1 in overtime, in what was the 2012 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener for both sides at Westerlea Way Field on Saturday afternoon.

Wildcats freshman Drew Lightfoot (Philadelphia, Pa.) scored the first two goals of his NCAA career in the upset victory over the reigning GNAC Champions. He claimed his first collegiate tally off a free kick from about 40 yards out in the 16th minute. Lightfoot connected on a sinking kick from the center of the pitch while several JWU players created confusion in front of SJC freshman keeper Scott Benner (Post Falls, Idaho), a diversion that allowed the bounding ball to sneak past the goal line.

Plenty of midfield play followed as neither team would muster a prime scoring opportunity until 10 minutes into the second stanza when junior forward Zach Johnson (Westbrook, Maine) appeared to score the game-tying goal on a nifty header shot, but the goal was called off due to an offsides infraction.

With the clock dwindling down, St. Joe's senior swing man Jack LaFreniere (Alton, N.H.) provided the hosts with some hope when he knotted the game in the 85th minute. The four-year starter managed to net his second goal of the young season on a bouncing kick that bounded over the head of JWU keeper Austin Scoggin (Mattituck, N.Y.) and into the net.

The back-and-forth play continued for the remainder of regulation and the opening minutes of extra play until Lightfoot propelled his team to victory with a booming kick from the 20 that sailed into the right side of the goal.

In goal, Benner recorded four saves in his third collegiate start while Scoggin went relatively untested with three stops on the afternoon. Overall, Johnson & Wales held a 13-9 advantage in shots and both sides were awarded three corner kicks in the conference contest.

Extra play has been historically unkind to the Monks and this season has been no different. After having played in just two overtime matches all of last season – both losses – St. Joe's has already appeared in three OT tilts in four games this fall and is 0-2-1 in such contests. With an 0-5-2 record in overtime games over the last three seasons, the Monks have not won in extra play since the Royal Blue defeated Southern Maine, 1-0, at home on October 21st, 2009.

With the loss, Saint Joseph's falls to 7-3 in the history of the series with Johnson & Wales University and sees a six-game winning streak versus the Wildcats come to a close.

Saint Joseph's returns to the pitch on Tuesday when the team travels to Bates College for a 7:30 PM kick off. Johnson & Wales resumes play on Wednesday with a match at Curry College starting at 7:00 PM.

 

Saint Joseph's College, founded in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy, celebrates its Centennial year in 2012 with a theme of "Realize the Promise" – honoring our commitment to educating well-rounded graduates who combine career focus with classic liberal arts studies. A Private, Catholic, primarily residential, coeducational liberal arts institution, Saint Joseph's welcomes students of all ages and all faiths. The campus, located 18 miles northwest of Portland and just two hours from Boston, encompasses 350 acres along the shore of beautiful Sebago Lake in Standish, Maine. Enrollment ranges between 1,000 and 1,100 students annually. Saint Joseph's offers challenging academic programs in the liberal arts and sciences, education, nursing and business fields in a value-centered environment.