SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Junior Dale Totman (Conway, MA) played the best game of his career at the right time.

The former Frontier Regional High School scored all three goals for a hat trick in the first half as top-seeded Western New England College blanked third-seeded Wentworth Institute of Technology 3-0 in the championship match of The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Men's Soccer Tournament Saturday (Nov. 3) at Suprenant Field.

The Golden Bears, who are competing in the conference for the first time, receive an automatic to the NCAA Division III Championship for the fourth consecutive year. Pairings will be announced Monday (Nov. 5). 

A transfer from UMass Lowell, Totman gave the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead just 4:32 into the contest and netted his second score in the eighth minute off a corner kick. He contributed his eighth goal of the season in the 28th minute with an assist from senior Ben Wells (Morrisville, VT).

The Golden Bears' defense then took over from there in compiling their 10th shutout of the season.

"Dale has been our offensive catalyst all season, but today was without question his signature match of the year,” said Western New England College coach Erin Sullivan. “In many ways, he personifies so many of the players on this year's team who have experienced ups and downs en route to achieving some of their loftiest goals. Our team defense was solid throughout the tournament, but our defenders really elevated their game to a whole new level. Their positioning, ball-winning, and competitive fire was simply spectacular today.

“For a team that has been to the NCAA Division III Tournament the past three years, this season has really been unlike any other,” Sullivan stated. “Winning both the conference regular season and tournament titles has been a tremendous accomplishment and our players deserve full credit for their commitment and performance. They have made tremendous sacrifices, remained united through adversity, and repeatedly risen to the occasion. We look forward to returning to the national stage and representing our College and program among the top teams in the nation."

Senior goalkeeper Steve Hennessey (Essex Junction, VT) finished with two saves for Western New England College while senior keeper Joe Simon (Pittsfield, MA) stopped four shots for the Leopards.

Western New England College didn't allow a goal in three tournament contests in improving their record to 14-5-2.

Wentworth (13-5-1) will be among the schools considered for an invitation to the ECAC New England Division III Tournament.