Men's Soccer Earns First Win in OT vs. Western

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College men's soccer team earned its first win of the season on Saturday afternoon by a 1-0 final in overtime against Western Connecticut State University.

Junior Frank Williams netted the game-winning goal just 2:30 into the extra period to give the Mariners (1-4-0 overall) their second win over Western (2-2-0 overall) in as many seasons. Goalkeeper Ramazan Sinani came off the bench to make five saves and combined with Chad Harshbarger for the shutout.

The game was even throughout, and each side had a number of scoring chances in regulation. In the opening minutes of the contest Mitchell's Jordan Derosier had a clean look from inside the box but was denied by Western goalkeeper Todd Coelho, who made a diving stop to his right. In the 35th minute the Mariners put one in the back of the net on a header by Zachary Simmons but had the goal waved off due to an offside call.

Western's best chance in the first half came off the foot of Phil Dagostino in the 25th minute, but the shot was wide. In the second stanza, Andriy Paparo had a good look from 10 yards out but blasted his attempt over the goal. Later on, Eren Ceylan unleashed a laser from 30 yards out that was punched over the crossbar by Sinani to keep the game scoreless.

The Mariners held a 2-0 advantage in shots in the overtime, both off the foot of Williams. His first attempt went wide of the goal in the 91st minute, but he didn't miss on his next chance. Williams made a run up the left side of the field and slipped behind the Western defense as Simmons played a ball through the midfield. Coelho came out to try to cut off the angle, but Williams dribbled around him and had a wide open net for his second goal of the season.

Western held a 13-12 edge in shots for the contest. Coelho finished with three saves.

Mitchell returns to action against Eastern Connecticut State University on Tuesday, September 17 at 4 p.m.