NEW LONDON, Conn.  -  The Coast Guard Academy men's soccer team picked up an important conference win vs. WPI on the team's senior day. The Bears shut out the Engineers, 2-0, improving their record to 11-4-2 (4-1-1 NEWMAC), while WPI moves to 9-4-4 (5-2-2).

Before kick-off, the Coast Guard's seniors were celebrated for their play and accomplishments over the past four years. Seven players in total - Mito Penella, Carson Trager, Matthew Abate, Brennan King; and tri-captains Micah Messner, Michael O'Brien, and Jude Sargent - were joined by their families on the field to be recognized for their overall contributions to the Academy's men's soccer program.

It seemed the pre-game festivities left the Bears fired up, as they took an early 1-0 lead in less than 15 minutes. A throw-in to WPI's penalty box by Aidan Miles was deflected out by a WPI defender, but Aki Freeman was there to send it into the lower left corner past Engineers goalie Savio Ketnouvong. The score was Freeman's team-leading seventh of the season and his second in conference-play. The Engineers were unable to equalize by halftime, taking four shot attempts with only one being on target, which was saved by John Putnam. Coast Guard sent two shots on target, including Freeman's, out of their six attempts. WPI held a 4-1 advantage on corner kicks but were charged with five fouls to the Bears' four.

The second half saw some action early after WPI defender Mason Perham tripped up Freeman in the 49th minute, resulting in a yellow card for Perham. The card count would be evened just a couple of minutes later, in the 51st, when Miles was awarded a yellow after a hard challenge on the sideline near the Bears' penalty box. Despite the prime positioning, the Engineers were unable to make anything of the ensuing free kick.

The game stayed at 1-0 until the hosts added some insurance in the 80th minute. Jack Lopez threw the ball in at the midfield of WPI's side to O'Brien, who tapped it back to Lopez. Lopez then served up a long cross into the box, where it appeared it would be played by a crashing Nicholas Yorgason. However, the ball kept carrying and flew over a jumping Ketnouvong and into the upper right corner of the Engineers' goal. It was the first collegiate goal for the sophomore defender and the third assist of the season for O'Brien.

WPI was unable to cut into the deficit. By the game's end, Coast Guard had taken 18 shots on goal, with three being on target, and drew nine fouls. WPI maintained their advantage on corners, 5-1. Putnam finished the game with three saves.

The Bears' final home game of the season is on Wednesday, October 30th, in which they host Emerson College for a 6 p.m. Kick-off. The Lions have a 5-8-2 (4-5-1 NEWMAC) record and will have faced Salve Regina in a 5:30 p.m. match-up on Saturday. The Bears are 7-3 in their games vs. Emerson dating back to 2023, and 2-1 in their last three.