SAINTS TEST UNBEATEN WENTWORTH, LOSE 2-1

BOSTON, MASS. - Emmanuel senior goalkeeper James Withers (East Taunton, Mass.) posted a career high 13 saves, but Wentworth ousted the Saints by a final score of 2-1 on Tuesday night. 

Emmanuel came out strong against the unbeaten Leopards, scoring the game's first goal just 11 minutes into play. 

Junior Colin O'Donnell (Killingworth, Conn.) gathered a pass from junior Jeff Allen (South Windsor, Conn.) and drove a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal for his team-leading third goal of the season. 

The Leopards, off to the best start in program history, picked up the tempo after conceding and found their way back into the game in the 36th minute. 

On a Wentworth corner, the ball was deflected towards sophomore Michael Zendan (Charlotte, N.C.) outside the 18-yard box. He launched a rocket into the top right corner, nudging the crossbar on its way into the net. The equalizer was Zendan's second goal of the year and team-leading 10th point. Junior Alex Watkinson (Merrimack, N.H.) earned his first assist on the play.

The teams went into halftime knotted at 1-1, but it was the Leopards who would break the tie early in the second half. 

Once again, Zendan was involved in the scoring play as he attempted to play a long ball on goal. His shot was errant and deflected by an Emmanuel defender, but found the foot of sophomore Chris Goncalves (Easton, Mass.) who was making a run through the box. He put away the eventual game-winner with ease and the Leopards took a 2-1 lead. 

Withers continued his stellar performance in the second half, making eight of his 13 saves in the frame. The career high mark for the junior is also the most by an Emmanuel goalkeeper since Garrett Charette made 14 agaisnt Maine Maritime in 2011. 

The Saints applied pressure late in the half, trying desperately to an equalizer, but Wentworth

freshman goalkeeper Joe Schalmo (Norwood, Mass.) made a key save on the way to his sixth straight victory to start his career. 

The Leopards outshot Emmanuel 29-10 and earned six corners to Emmanuel's one. 

Colin O'Donnell picked up a yellow card in the first half, on one of the Saints' eight fouls. Wentworth committed nine fouls on the evening. 

The win moves the Leopards to a program best 6-0 record, while he Saints drop to 2-2 with the loss. 

Emmanuel is back in action on Thursday as Newbury College visits Clemente Field at 7 p.m. for the team's third consecutive home game.