NASHUA, N.H. – As a defender, Daniel Webster men's soccer junior Chasen Congreves (Essex Junction, Vt.) doesn't get a lot of scoring opportunities. But he made the best of his chances on Friday afternoon.
The Essex Junction, Vt. native connected for the only goal of the contest – a 55-yard breeze-aided bomb from just inside the center line – that carried up and just over a fully outstretched Regis goalkeeper Manny Santiago (Bristol, Conn.) with just over 26 minutes remaining that stood up as the game winner and delivered the top-seeded Eagles a 1-0 victory over fifth-seeded Regis College in the semifinal round of the 2015 New England Collegiate Conference Championship Tournament Friday.
The win ushers the defending champion Eagles (17-3) back to a familiar place - Sunday's final - where they will host either second-seeded Elms or third-seeded Newbury at 1:00 p.m.
The win continued to add to DWC's program record win streak (15) after a 2-3 start to the year. Regis, playing its sixth varsity season, completed its campaign with a program-record 11 victories (11-8-1 overall) and reached the NECC final four for the second straight season.
DWC ties Lesley for most championship game appearances (4) since the league began play in 2008, and the Eagles will be seeking their fourth title overall. DWC is 3-0 all-time in NECC title games, winning last season at Elms (2-1). The program last won a title on home soil in 2010 (2-0) over Southern Vermont.
The low-scoring contest was a far cry from the teams' first meeting back on October 10, a wild six-goal affair that saw DWC storm back from a 2-1 halftime deficit to score a 4-2 victory.
This time, both squads played very tight defense, clogged the middle, and limited scoring opportunities throughout. DWC put up 24 total shots to nine for Regis, but the differential was closer in shots on goals (12-4). DWC also doubled up the Pride on corner kicks (6-3).
DWC saw two golden opportunities to break things open early in the second as Eagle senior Greg Mashburn (Charlotte, N.C.) took a pair of passes about eight minutes apart from rookie Joseano Tavares (Lawrence, Mass.). His first sailed wide of an open right corner by less than a foot, while his second attempt was stoned by Santiago, who made the save of the game from 5 yards out, diving to his right.
The game-winner was set up by a Regis steal near the 40 yard mark that was then turned over on an offensive foul, setting up Congreves on a free kick from deep. With a steady breeze running west to east throughout the game and with the Eagles having taken the wind in the second half, Congreves elected to launch rather than pass and the shot sailed upward, drifted, and then held slightly giving it just enough time to sneak past Santiago.
It was Congreves third of the season and just the fourth of his career.
Santiago took the tough luck loss finishing with 10 saves.
Eagle net minder Sean Hamilton (Brookline, N.H.) added to his career shutouts record with his 10th of the year and 24th of his career. Moreover, he broke the program record for career victories in goal with his 38th (38-25-3), surpassing previous great Joe Keene '12 (37-23-4). Hamilton also temporarily moved past Keene by .002 points in career GAA to 1.15.
Release Courtesy of Daniel Webster College Sports Information