Box Score BABSON PARK, Mass. – Senior John Tarzian's goal in the second overtime gives the Bears a 2-1 come from behind victory over conference foe Babson College and pushes their record to 7-0-0 on the season.
This is the first win for the Coast Guard over Babson since 1995 and the best start in school history for the Bears. Babson is currently sitting at fourth in the latest NSCAA New England poll and was 6-1-0 on the year coming into the game.
Both teams played to a 0-0 draw through the first half with the Beavers having the majority of the chances outshooting the Bears 7-3.
Babson did strike first in the second half when freshman Ian Cicalis took a pass from freshman Logan Ventura and slotted it past Senior Richie Burns for his first goal of his collegiate career 66:40 into the game.
The Beavers looked like they had the game wrapped up going into the final minute before Coast Guard scored the game tying goal. Junior Ricky Davies sent a cross into the Babson penalty box. The ball went off a Beaver's defender and found junior Lukas Benedetto who one touched it past the Babson goalkeeper for his second goal of the year.
"As typically happens with close games, the team behind pushes players forwards and we were fortunate to tie the game with fifty second left," commented coach Chris Parsons.
In fourth minute of the second overtime sophomore Jake Rath received a pass and sent a cross in to the far post where senior John Tarzian met the ball to head it past junior goalkeeper Tanner Click. Tarzian's game winner was his second of the year.
"He (Rath) served a brilliant ball to the back post for John Tarzian to rise up and nod the game winner past the Babson keeper. It was a fantastic service and an even better finish," added coach Parsons.
Senior Richie Burns made seven saves in goal for the Bears pushing the teams overall record to 7-0-0 and pushing their NEWMAC record to 1-0-0. Through seven games the Coast Guard defense has not allowed more than one goal to any opponent.
Junior Tanner Click made five saves in goal for the Beavers bringing their record to 6-2-0 on the season and 0-1-0 in conference play.
Coach Parsons believed the team started flat but found their stride saying, "We started slow on the day and allowed Babson to dictate the pace of the game. After twenty minutes we settled in and I felt the game was even. I was disappointed to give up the goal in the second half as I felt we controlled the first twenty minutes of the second half."
This is Coast Guard's second over-time win of the season and the fourth time this year they have come from behind to win. It is also the sixth time this year that Bears have scored a goal in the 80th minute or later to win or tie the game.
Coach Parsons was thrilled with his teams performance saying, "with momentum, we were able to win the match. I could not have been prouder of the performance from everyone today."
Coast Guard returns to action on Tuesday, September 23rd at 4:00 pm when they travel to cross town rival Conn. College for a nonconference matchup.
