Box Score NEW LONDON, Conn. – Junior Alex Lane's goal in the 53rd minute gave Coast Guard all the scoring they needed as they beat MIT 1-0.
Senior goalkeeper Richie Burns, who sat out the last two game due to injury, was tested early by the Engineers offense and showed no signs of rust.
Early in the first half an MIT cross of a set piece found a diving sophomore Alex McCullumsmith who headed it on goal. Burns dove to his left to make the save and keep the Engineers off the board early.
Off another set piece, MIT sent the ball into the box. The Bears were unable to clear it initially and the ball found its way to McCullumsmith who sent a hard shot on goal. Burns dove to his right and knocked the ball down before the Coast Guard defense cleared it out of danger.
Burns and the Bears defense weathered the early storm and settled in to make the rest of the first half a defensive battle.
The second half started in the same fashion until junior Lukas Benedetto found an open Lane at the left corner of the Engineer's eighteen yard box. Lane took one touch and struck a hard shot that found its way into the opposite upper corner of the goal for his team leading fourth goal of the year.
Freshman Luke Telang attempted to put the game away late as he received the ball in space and managed to shield off a defender long enough to take a shot that slid just outside of the far post.
MIT made one final effort as they sent a free kick into the box from their half of the field that bounced in the Bears penalty area. Junior Austin Freel hit a hard volley on goal. Burns dove to his right and forced the ball out for a corner kick and sealed the game as the clock ticked down.
Burns made four saves in the win for the shutout pushing the Bears record to 10-1-0 and 2-1 in the NEWMAC conference. Burns now has five shutouts on the season and 21 for his career. Burns five shutouts leads the NEWMAC Conference and he is now two away from tying the school record for career shutouts.
Junior Goalkeeper Jake Amereno made zero saves for MIT whose record fell to 4-2-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
Coast Guard returns to actions on Tuesday, October 7th when they host Albertus Magnus. Game time is 6:00 pm.
