Box Score NEW LONDON, Conn. – For the second year in a row, Coast Guard and Eastern Connecticut fought to a scoreless draw in a nonconference matchup Tuesday night.
The Bears, who are now ranked 14th in the nation and 2nd in New England according to the NSCAA poll, came out strong in the first half dominating possession and scoring opportunities.
Midway through the first half, Coast Guard had their best opportunity when freshman Ryan Dandan played a through ball to senior Conor Regan who managed to get in behind his defender. Regan was alone on goal and attempted to slip the ball past sophomore goalkeeper Greg Walton. However, Walton was fast off his line and made a sliding save to deny Regan, and the Warrior's defense cleared it out of danger.
The Bears controlled the first half outshooting Eastern 11-4 with an edge in shots on goals 5-1. Walton however held Coast Guard in check making five saves.
The second half was more defensive as the Bears only managed three shots on goal. Their best opportunity came early in the period when sophomore Caelan Harshaw started a quick counter attack for Coast Guard. Harshaw played a pass to Dandan who turned and dribbled his way to the top of the Warriors penalty box. Dandan played a pass across the top of the eighteen yard box to junior Lukas Benedetto who fired a shot on goal. Walton, however, was up to the task once again making another save.
The Warriors attempted to steal the game late as sophomore Konnor Scarponi played a cross into the Bears penalty box. Senior Richie Burns went up to pick off the cross, but it snuck over his outstretched hands leaving the goal wide open. Coast Guard's defense cleared the ball out of the box before any Eastern player could get to the ball.
The first overtime period was uneventful as each team traded shots that were not on frame.
The Bears nearly found a winner in the final minute of the second overtime when senior Trey Chamberlain found himself with space to shoot on the right side of the Warriors penalty box. Trey fired a shot on goal but Walton made another save thwarting another Coast Guard attack.
Burns made one save in the tie bringing the Bears record to 13-1-1 on the season. This is his conference leading ninth shutout of the season and the 25th of his career. Burns is still unbeaten on the year with a record of 12-0-1.
Walton had a strong game making seven saves for his seventh shutout of the year pushing the Warriors record to 9-2-5 on the season.
Coast Guard returns to action Saturday, October 25 when they host NEWMAC power Wheaton. Game time is 12:00 pm.
