Lyons stretch unbeaten streak to five with key conference win over Babson

October 22, 2005

NORTON, MA- The Wheaton College men's soccer team moved one step closer to defending its New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) regular season championship Saturday afternoon, as the Lyons defeated Babson College, 2-1 on Homecoming weekend at Keefe Field.

Wheaton remains unbeaten in conference play at 4-0-1 while raising its overall record to 10-4-2. The Beavers, who entered the contest with a five-game unbeaten streak, fall to 4-1 in league play and 9-3-4 on the season.

Wheaton freshmen Dan Lane (Dedham, MA/Worcester Academy) and Justin Hart (Ashland, MA/Ashland), who scored both of the Lyons' goals this afternoon, had the Blue and White's first two scoring chances in the 18th and 23rd minutes, respectively. Lane's header on a feed from junior Cameron Habib (Norfolk, MA/Bridgton Academy) bounced off the right post and Hart's shot in close was corralled by Babson sophomore keeper Chris Necklas (Guilford, CT/Guilford).

The Beavers had their best opportunity shortly thereafter, when a scramble ensued in front of the Wheaton net followed by a Chris Schwartz (Guilford, CT/Guilford) header that carried to the right of the goal frame. The Lyons responded with the game's first goal in the 37th minute, led by freshman Jeff Shea's (Canton, MA/Canton) cross from the left end line across the goal mouth and onto the head of Lane, who collected his 11th goal of the season. Lane is now tied for 10th in Wheaton's record book for goals in a single season.

Following the intermission, Babson didn't waste any time tying the game, as the Beavers had a nearly identical scenario to Wheaton's first-half tally. Coming from the right end line, Schwartz directed his short cross to the far post where first-year Timothy Winn (Sutton, MA/Sutton) used a soft header to knot the game at one.

Hart broke the tie at 63:26 with his second game-winning goal of the season. Freshman Mathurin Coulibaly (Ivory Coast, Africa/Saint George's School) delivered a perfectly-placed entry pass from the right side of the field, leaving Hart to head home the winning tally from the far post. The Wheaton defense held its ground for the remaining minutes of the second stanza, limiting Babson to a total of three second-half shots.

Junior goalkeeper Matt Pachniuk (Newtown, CT/Newtown) picked up the victory in net for the Lyons, while Necklas accounted for three stops for the visitors. Wheaton held edges of 14-8 in shots and 6-5 in corners.

With a win in its regular season finale next Saturday against Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Wheaton will have at least clinched a share of the NEWMAC regular season title. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.

SCORING: 1st 2nd Final
Babson (9-3-4, 4-1) 0 1 1
Wheaton (10-4-2, 4-0-1) 1 1 2

1st Half: WC- Dane Lane (Jeff Shea) 36:46

2nd Half: BC- Timothy Winn (Chris Schwartz) 46:28; WC- Justin Hart (Mathurin Coulibaly) 63:26

Goalie Saves: WC- Matt Pachniuk 0; BC- Chris Necklas 3

Shots: WC- 14; BC- 8

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