BRUNSWICK, Maine – Senior Brett Mattos (Mahopac, N.Y.) scored off a Cody Elliott (Gorham, Maine) free kick in the 65th minute to launch #25 Saint Joseph's College (5-0-0) past Bowdoin College (1-2-0), 1-0, in a clash of 2017 NCAA Tournament participants on Sunday afternoon.
THE LEAD
The Monks broke a scoreless tie at the 64:35 mark, when Elliott delivered a free kick to the left post finding Mattos, who finished with a side volley to the opposite corner.
The Polar Bears poured on the offensive pressure late and nearly tied the game when sophomore midfielder Alex Chaban (Andover, Mass.) belted a free kick - taken on the right side from just outside the box - that narrowly missed the far post.
With the win, Head Coach Adrian Dubois becomes the Monks' all-time coaching victories leader and is now 55-24-9 in slightly over four years on the SJC sideline. Dubois surpasses Steve Babineau, who notched a 54-40-6 record in five years at the helm.
THE KEEPERS
Saint Joseph's senior Blake Mullen (Manchester, Conn.) made three saves to register the 44th victory, and 31st shutout, of his collegiate career. Bowdoin freshman goalie Chris Kingston (Winchester, Mass.) turned away seven shots in a losing effort.
TEAM STATS
The Monks held a narrow 13-11 lead in shots with a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal while the Polar Bears posted a 4-3 edge in corner kicks on the afternoon.
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING
With the victory, Saint Joseph's improves to 2-4 in the history of the series with Bowdoin College. The Monks defeated the Polar Bears by the same score at home last fall.
The triumph also extends the Monks' undefeated streak to 26 games, as St. Joe's has not suffered a defeat since November 13th, 2016 when they fell to Brandeis University, 3-0, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. SJC is 24-0-2 during the streak.
NEXT!
Saint Joseph's resumes conference play with a 7:00 PM game at Rivier University on Wednesday. Bowdoin hosts Husson University Tuesday at 4:00 PM.