NEW LONDON, Conn –
In a defensive battle, Coast Guard was unable to break through offensively against the Seahawks of Salve Regina. For Salve, it is their fourth win in a row and continues their hot start to start the season. They are now 7-1, 1-0 NEWMAC on the year. They will next host Massachusetts Maritime on Wednesday March 19th at 6:00 PM.
Early on, both teams defenses showed their prowess with just three total goals scored in the first quarter. Salve scored the first two before the freshman CGA duo of
Nolan Grizzle(Severna Park, MD) and
Ezekiel Christian(Stonington, CT) combined for a goal, with Christian assisting Grizzle. On the first possession of the 2nd quarter, Christian would get a goal of his own with a man-up goal assisted by
Eric Key(Clarksville, MD). Salve would score two unanswered of their own to close out the half with a 4-2 score.
The Bears came out hot in the second half with a first minute
Ezekiel Christian goal assisted by
Eric Key for the second quarter in a row. After that goal however, the Salve offense was awoken. In the final 14 minutes of the third, the Seahawks outscored CGA 4-0 and take a comfortable 8-3 lead into the fourth. In the fourth quarter Coast Guard fought; scoring three goals, but could not stop Salve when they needed, ultimately falling 11-6.
Coast Guard's points leaders were Christian and Key, each with three followed by
Mason LaForte(Waterford, CT) with two.
In goal, junior
Dustin Miller(Tyler, TX) made 10 saves for the Bears.
On the afternoon, Salve proved why they are the top scoring defense in the conference(29th nationally) allowing just six goals despite Coast Guard having fewer turnovers(10-16) and more caused turnovers(8-2).
The highly anticipated faceoff battle was as advertised. Coast Guard came into the day 6th in the country in faceoff win percentage with Salve 7th. The pair of top 10 adversaries were non-surprisingly nearly even on the X, with Salve winning 10 and Coast Guard 9.
Coast Guard falls to 4-2(0-1 NEWMAC) on the season. They will next travel to Wheaton College a week from today, Saturday March 22nd at 1:00 PM.
