Box Score NEW LONDON, Conn. – Coast Guard scored a goal in each half on their way to a 2-0 victory over Pine Manor Friday evening on the Coast Guard Academy campus.
With the Bears second straight win they improve to 2-1. The Gators drop their first game of the season and fall to 1-1-1.
Junior Griffin Klages scored his first goal of the season while classmate Landon Klopfenstein scored his first collegiate goal. Freshmen Daniel Taglianetti and Seth Anderson each tallied their first collegiate points as Taglianetti had two assists and Anderson had one.
Coast Guard was on the attack early and often to start the game. Junior Noah Harper found sophomore Gio Ottomanelli with a cross from the right side in the ninth minute. Ottomanelli laid out for a header but put it just wide of the goal and out of play.
Ottomanelli was on the attack minutes later as senior Luke Telang slotted him in on the left side of Pine Manor's attacking third. Ottomanelli took a touch and rifled a shot from the top of the penalty box. His shot beat freshman goalkeeper Angel Pena but clanged off the crossbar. Telang attempted to put the rebound on goal, but was blocked out of play for a corner.
The Bears continued to pressure but could not find the back of the net until Coast Guard earned a corner in the 41st minute. Taglianetti took the kick quickly and sent it to the front post where Anderson was unmarked. Anderson touched the service on to the back post where Klages knocked it home for the 1-0 advantage going into halftime.
Just over eight minute into the second half the Bears nearly added their second as junior Patrick Palermo-Re stepped up to take a free kick 30 yards out from goal in the center of the field. His service found the head of senior Ryan Dandan who put it on frame and forced a diving save from Pena, knocking the ball out of play.
In the 69th minute Taglianetti helped Coast Guard net their second goal of the game as he found space down the left side and sent a cross into the center of the box. Klopfenstein made a well timed run and hit the ball in stride putting the shot past the sprawling keeper for the Bears second goal of the game.
Coast Guard nearly pushed the lead to three as freshman Noa Pagatpatan stripped the last defender of the ball putting himself in alone with the keeper. Pagatpatan beat the keeper with his shot but rolled it just wide of the post and out of play leaving the score at 2-0.
Senior Jake Sorenson (2-0) earned his first solo shutout of the season facing zero shots on goal. The Bears defense have been stout through the first three games allowing one goal and sporting a .31 goals against average.
Pagan (0-1) made six saves on eight shots on goal allowing the two goals.
Coast Guard is back in action on Tuesday, September 12th, when they host Western CT. Kickoff is 6:00.
