Men's Soccer Ties Eastern Nazarene

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College men's soccer team came back from a one-goal deficit to record a 1-1 draw against Eastern Nazarene College on Thursday afternoon in New England Collegiate Conference action.

The Lions held a 1-0 lead at intermission thanks to a goal by Brock Pease in the 22^nd minute. The Mariners (0-11-4, 0-2-3 NECC) evened the score in the 78^th minute on a marker by Mason Rubino, and neither side produced a golden goal in overtime. 

Eastern Nazarene (11-6-1 overall) remained unbeaten in NECC play at 4-0-1, while Mitchell (0-11-4 overall) moved to 0-2-3. The Lions, who sit atop the league standings, will need a win or a tie against New England College this weekend to claim sole possession of the NECC regular season title.

ENC's goal came off a short corner kick on which Leonardo Castro put a shot on frame from the left wing. Mitchell keeper Dylan Kinsella made the initial stop but couldn't hold onto the ball, and Pease cleaned up the rebound for his first goal of the year.

Mitchell had a chance to equalize late in the half, but a shot by Jack Varley hit off the post. The ensuing rebound was then put on goal by Eric Leuchner, but an ENC defender was on the goal line and cleared the shot away. 

The Mariners had another unlucky break in the early stages of the second half when a free kick by Nicholas Ghirardi hit off the left post. Later in the stanza, Mitchell was awarded a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box, but Ghiradi's shot was blocked by ENC's wall.

With under 13 minutes remaining in regulation, a handball yielded a free kick for the Mariners from 50 yards out near the right sideline. Ghirardi played a long ball into the box, and Bryan Ramos hit a header that forced ENC keeper Tyler Ferreira into making a sprawling save. However, Rubino trailed the play and stuffed home the rebound for his second goal of the season.

With the game tied, Mitchell turned things over to Joey Rosa in goal, and the senior did not disappoint. He made four saves in overtime, including a diving stop with just over three minutes remaining in the contest. 

Ferreira was also up to the task in extra time, making a game-saving save in the final two minutes. Mitchell played Rubino up the left side of the field, and his first touch put him past his defender and into the ENC box. He flicked a shot on goal, but Ferreira came out to cut off the angle, and after making the save he covered up the rebound before Mitchell could get to it.

ENC held a 26-18 edge in shots. Kinsella (80:41) and Rosa (29:19) finished with four saves each for the Mariners. Ferreira, who played all 110 minutes for the Lions, made six stops.

Mitchell will wrap up the regular season at home against Lesley University on Saturday, October 30 at noon.