Wheaton takes over first place in NEWMAC with 2-1 win against Babson

October 21, 2006

BABSON PARK, MA- Wheaton College jumped into first place in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) men's soccer standings with a 2-1 victory over Babson College on Saturday at Hartwell-Rogers Field. The Lyons moved into position to win their third straight regular season conference title with a win or tie in their regular season finale against Clark University next Saturday.

The Blue and White, which is ranked eighth in New England by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), improved to 10-4-3 overall and 4-1 in the league. The Lyons are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games and reached a double-digit victory total for the 15th straight season. The Beavers, who are tied for 10th in the region, fell to 9-5-2 and 3-2 while slipping to the third spot in the league.

Wheaton got on the board first, as senior Ariel Tatum (Cayman Islands, BWI/Holderness School) sent a free kick from 50 yards out off junior keeper Chris Necklas' (Guilford, CT/Guilford) outstretched hands and into the net for his third goal of the season at 13:15. A little more than nine minutes later, the hosts drew even, as senior Ted Gott (South Portland, ME/South Portland) converted classmate Gregg Robinson's (Cape Elizabeth, ME/Cape Elizabeth) pass at 22:35. The teams went into the locker room tied at one.

Babson controlled the second half on paper, holding advantages of 9-3 in shots and 5-1 in corner kicks, but two of Wheaton's three captains provided stout defense in keeping the Beavers off the board, and the third netted the lone goal of the period. Babson sophomore Timothy Winn (Sutton, MA/Sutton) sent a 53rd-minute shot on net that was destined to give the hosts a lead, but Wheaton senior midfielder Cameron Habib (Norfolk, MA/Bridgton Academy) made a goal line stop to preserve the tie.

Less than five minutes later, Habib held possession before spotting senior Dennis Durao (West Hartford, CT/Northwest Catholic), who buried his first career game-winning tally at 57:43. Senior Matt Pachniuk (Newtown, CT/Newtown) made six saves during the stanza, none bigger than defusing the Beavers' final scoring opportunity with 10 minutes remaining by punching away a shot by junior Kevin Owens (Boulder, CO/Fairview) that was headed for the upper right corner. Pachniuk ended up with eight total saves, while Necklas had one. For the game, the Beavers outshot the Lyons, 13-9 and notched nine of the game's 12 corners.

The Lyons can wrap up the NEWMAC regular season title with a win or tie versus Clark on Senior Day next Saturday at 1:00 p.m., which would clinch Wheaton's right to host its fourth conference tournament in the past six years. Head coach Matt Cushing enters the game with 198 career victories at Wheaton.

SCORING: 1st 2nd Final
Wheaton (10-4-3, 4-1) 1 1 2
Babson (9-5-2, 3-2) 1 0 1

1st Half: WC- Ariel Tatum (unassisted) 13:15; BC- Ted Gott (Gregg Robinson) 22:35

2nd Half: WC- Dennis Durao (Cameron Habib) 57:43

Goalie Saves: WC- Matt Pachniuk 8; BC- Chris Necklas 1

Shots: WC- 9; BC- 13

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