NEW LONDON, Conn. - Coast Guard Academy men's soccer hosted Worcester State for a non-conference match-up on Saturday afternoon. The Bears went into the match-up with the goal of continuing their hot start to the season while the Lancers were looking to pick up the first win of their 2024 campaign.

Coast Guard came out on top by a final score of 3-0. The Bears improved to 4-0-0 thanks to another lockdown defensive performance by the back line and another brace by junior forward Aki Freeman (San Diego, Calif.). Worcester State fell to 0-0-3. The Lancers now have a long break in action before their next game against UMass Dartmouth on September 18th.

Freeman opened the scoring in the 16th minute off an assist from senior defender Jude Sargeant (West Hartford, Conn.). Coast Guard added another just ten minutes later when sophomore forward Cole Miller (Annapoli, Md.) buried one in the 26th minute. Sophomore defender Jack Lopez (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.) was credited with the assist.

The Bears wasted no time extending their lead as Freeman scored his fifth goal of the season in the 28th minute. Freeman appeared to attempt a cross from the left side of the field as a Lancers defender closed in, but the ball rang off the left woodwork and into the goal. Sargeant was tabbed for another assist, and the score marked Freeman's second multi-goal game of the season.

Sophomore Samuel Linkous (Gulf Breeze, Fla.) made the start in goal and was replaced by first-year Connor Hickey (South Berwick, Maine) at the start of the second half. Neither of them had to do too much during the game as the Bears defense put together another lockdown performance, allowing Worcester State to take only three shots with none on target during the full 90 minutes.

Men's soccer will head to Willimantic, Conn. for their next game, acting as the away side against Eastern Connecticut State University. Kick-off is set for 7 PM, and the Warriors will be coming off an away game against the University of Hartford on Saturday afternoon.