NEW LONDON, Conn. - Senior John Tarzian scored in the 60th minute to lift Coast Guard over Conn. College 1-0 and reclaim the Whale Cup for the first time since 2010.

The Bears, who are now ranked 23rd in the nation in the d3soccer.com poll for the first time and fifth in New England in the NSCAA poll, are 8-0-0 on the season. This victory over the Camels was the first time since 2010 when Coast Guard won 2-0.

The first half was a stale mate as neither team could score. The Bears had their best opportunity late in the first half when junior Alex Lane found space and sent a cross into Conn. College's box. The ball nearly found junior Luke Benedeto who was making a run to goal but was just out of his reach.

The Camels nearly took the lead at the end of the half as junior Marino Patrk received the ball on the left side of Coast Guard's penalty box. Patrk rifled a shot on goal that snuck by senior goalkeeper Richie Burns, but hit the post and deflected harmlessly out of bounds.

The Bears would strike early in the second half as a long pass from Lane found Tarzian in stride. Tarzian, the reigning NEWMAC offensive player of the week, shielded off two Conn. College defenders and managed to hit a hard volley from twenty yards out. The ball dipped over Camel's sophomore goalkeeper Austin DaCunha for his third goal of the year and his second game winner in as many games.

Coast Guard continued to press as Lane sent a set piece into the box and connected with senior Tradd Lovern who dove to head the ball. Lovern put the ball on frame but right into DaCuhna's hands.

The Camels would test Burns with eight minutes left in the half as they sent a cross to the back post on a set piece. Two Conn. College players were there to meet the cross but Burns rose up between the two players to pull the ball down into his grasp.

Tarzian nearly pushed Coast Guard's lead to 2-0 when a ball over the top was unable to be cleared out by the Conn. College defense. Tarzian held off one defender and put his shot past DaCuhna but the ball went just wide.

The rivalry between the Bears and Camels has been competitive as no game has been decided by more than two goals since 1977.

Burns made three saves for the Bears in a winning effort. This shutout is Burns fourth of the season and the twentieth of his career. Three more shutouts and he will be tied for most all time.

DaCuhna made four saves in the loss dropping the Camels record to 3-3-0 on the season

Bears coach Chris Parsons commented on the win saying, "I could not be happier. I thought we were slow to get started in the first half, but finished with the better of that half and then we were slow to get started in the second half but we scored a great goal."

"This goes back to the team that won the ECAC championship in 2012, and the leadership we had on that team. We had three seniors on the team whose leadership was fantastic, and that has trickled down since they have left. These guys have picked it up and it has been an awesome season so far," said Coach Parsons when asked about being nationally ranked for the first time in school history and the 8-0-0 record.

The Bears return to action on Saturday, September 26th when they travel to Worcester, Mass. to take on the Clark Cougars in NEWMAC Conference competition. Game time is 1:00 pm.