WESTON, MASS. - Junior Matias Zuniga (Wallingford, Conn.) capitalized on a free-kick opportunity, scoring the lone goal of the match to lift the New England College men's soccer team to a 1-0 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory over Regis College Tuesday afternoon. The win marks the Pilgrims' first conference win of the season.
The 'Grims recorded the first scoring opportunity of the afternoon as senior Chase Gurtowsky (Torrington, Conn.) headed a shot just high of the net. The Pride responded with a series of attempts, but the NEC defense held strong to keep Regis off the scoreboard. Regis continued to apply pressure throughout the opening half, but senior goalkeeper Matt Guzman (San Bernardino, Calif.) turned aside each attempt. With just minutes remaining in the first half, NEC earned a free kick. Zuniga stepped up and found the back of the net, giving the 'Grims a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
The Pilgrims continued to apply offensive pressure early in the second half as graduate Anthony Aguiar (Gilford, N.H.) fired a shot that was blocked by the Pride defense. Regis battled throughout the remainder of the match in search of the equalizer, but Guzman and the NEC defense held firm.
Guzman finished the afternoon with seven saves, preserving the shutout and securing the Pilgrims' 1-0 conference victory.
NEC heads to New London, Conn. on Saturday for a GNAC matchup with Mitchell College at 1:30 PM.
For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
