Playoff-Bound Men’s Soccer Blanks University of New England, 1-0

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene men's soccer team claimed a spot in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament for the first time since 2002 with a 1-0 victory over the University of New England Tuesday evening. The win elevates the Lions to 7-8-2 overall and 3-5-1 in league matches. The Nor'easters drop to 6-10-1 on the season and 2-6-1 in the conference with the result.

With a total of 10 points in the Commonwealth Coast Conference, Eastern Nazarene edged Curry for the seventh seed in the postseason tournament. The seventh-seeded Lions will travel to the Ocean State to take on second-seeded Salve Regina October 27.

The home team got on the board in the 26th minute as Scott Hansen (Middletown Spring, Vt.) notched his team-best sixth goal of the fall. Edgar Arceo (Minden, Nev.) dispossessed an opposing player before dribbling towards the center of the pitch. The junior unleashed a shot from nearly 35 yards out that knuckled in the air and handcuffed the visitors' goalkeeper. The Nor'easters' netminder tried to push the shot away from goal but the ball landed on the goal line. Hansen rushed the goal and slammed home the loose ball.

Eastern Nazarene held a slim 9-8 margin in shots through 45 minutes of play. The University of New England controlled a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks earned in the first frame.

The Lions' defense held strong in the second stanza and prevented the Nor'easters from netting an equalizer.

The hosts outshot the visitors 14-10 in the match while the Nor'easters owned a 6-2 gap in corner kicks.

Sophomore Jake Johnson (Mount Bethel, Pa.) recorded seven saves between the pipes for Eastern Nazarene. Aidan McParland stopped three shots on the night for the Nor'easters.

Before Tuesday evening's contest, the Lions honored their three seniors. Matt Nieto (Stanwood, Wash.), Seagers Rodrigues (Belgaum, India) and Josh Kaplan (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) were all recognized for their hard work and dedication to the program.