MEN’S SOCCER KNOTS UP WENTWORTH IN SEASON-OPENING C.O.F. BATTLE

BOSTON, Mass. – The Emmanuel College men's soccer team scored a pair of goals in a span of 5:47 late in the second half to erase a 2-0 deficit and play to a 2-all draw with Wentworth Institute of Technology in the first-ever meeting between these two Colleges of the Fenway (COF) schools.  The non-conference battle marked the season-opener for both programs.

After Emmanuel had a goal called off due to an offsides call in the 42nd minute, Wentworth scored the lone goal of the opening stanza when freshman Michael Zendan (Charlotte, N.C.) fed a long pass to senior Adam Rhodes (Litchfield, Conn.). Rhodes dribbled in and beat Saint senior keeper Garrett Charette (West Springfield, Mass.) to the left side.

The Leopards increased their lead to 2-0 just 1:35 into the second half as junior Mitchell Kendrioski (Guilford, Conn.) fed a pass to classmate Arberi Ferraj (Moosup, Conn.), who placed a shot just inside the right post.

At the 70:51 mark, the Saints got on the board when sophomore Zach Foley (Uncasville, Conn.) fed a pass to classmate Jordan Maurer (Florence, Mass.), whose header beat Leopard junior Kevin Pepin (Fairhaven, Mass.) to the left side. With 13:32 remaining Emmanuel got the equalizer as sophomore Colin O'Donnell (Killingworth, Conn.) fed a pass in front to junior David Field (Laguna Nigel, Calif.).

Both teams would have chances near the end of regulation.  However neither would put home the go-ahead marker.

Wentworth took all seven shots in the first overtime and had two chances to end the game early, however the Leopards would hit a post and a crossbar. In the second overtime, the Leopards held a 5-2 shot advantage.  However, Charette and Pepin each made two saves – including one each in the final minute to preserve the tie.

Pepin finished with seven saves, while Charette turned aside 10 shots. The Leopards held a 28-14 edge on shots, with 12 of those shots coming in the two overtime periods.

Wentworth plays at Johnson & Wales Universityon Wednesday, while Emmanuel travels to Nashua, N.H. to take on Daniel Webster College next Saturday.

- Courtesy of Wentworth Institute of Technology Sports Information Department