BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore Reilly Maw recorded the game's lone goal in the 58th minute and the William and Mary men's soccer team held on to a 1-0 road victory at Northeastern on Saturday night in Boston, Massachusetts. Senior Bennett Jones was terrific in goal for the Green and Gold making a career-high eight saves. With the win, the Tribe improves to 6-10-1, 3-3-1 in Colonial Athletic Association play, while the Huskies drop to 6-10-0, 3-3-0 in league action.
With the result, Tribe head coach Chris Norris earned his 100th career victory as the College's head man. Now in his 11th season as head coach, he has led the Tribe to three NCAA Tournament appearances.
“I'm proud of the group and happy for them, said Norris. "Northeastern is a dangerous young team and very tough at home. We battled hard and made critical plays at both ends. We keep our postseason hopes alive and that was the most important thing about the result.”
Northeastern came out of the gates in a hurry and was able to mount their attack in the first minute. Just a minute in, Ackim Mpofu had an open look in front of the cage, but Jones made a diving save and held on for no rebound.
W&M had a chance of its own in the opening stages of the match with a shot in the third minute. Senior Josh West intercepted a pass and was in on a one-versus-one with the goalkeeper. The senior pushed a shot to the right, but Jacob Aduama made the sliding save.
The Tribe just missed getting on the scoreboard first with a goal in the 28th minute. Freshman William Eskay one-timed a cross to the cage, but Aduama was able to recover in time to make the stop.
Neither side could find a goal before the end of the first half of play. Northeastern did hold a 9-5 advantage in shots, including a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal. Jones recorded four first half saves.
W&M got on the board first with a goal in the 58th minute. Maw was able to beat the Huskies defense and get in one-versus-one with the goalkeeper. The sophomore placed his shot into the lower left corner of the net. Maw's fourth goal of the season gave the Tribe a 1-0 advantage.
Northeastern had a couple of chances to find the equalizer after the Tribe goal. Donovan Fayd had a chance and turned his shot on frame, but Jones came up with a save. His biggest save of the second half came on a shot from Brad Fountain, who stole a pass, but Jones preserved the shutout for the Green and Gold.
The Tribe had a chance in the closing minutes of the game to add an insurance goal. A ball bounced loose to the foot of Maw, who unleashed a shot. The ball hit off of a Northeastern defender and to the foot of senior Zachary Montebell. After just missing the first shot, the senior recovered to take another shot, but Aduama came up with a huge save.
Northeastern outshot the Tribe by a 16-8 margin, including an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal. Jones was outstanding in the cage for the College as he made a career-best eight saves in his third shutout of the season. Offensively, Maw paced the Tribe with a pair of shots.
The Green and Gold concludes its regular season schedule with a trip to Harrisonburg, Virginia where they will take on James Madison on Wednesday, Oct. 29. Kickoff for that match is set for 7 p.m.
