Box Score Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Senior back Nick Zarka (Farmington, CT) netted the game winner with his first goal of the season as the top-seeded Western New England College men's soccer team outlasted eighth-seeded University of New England 3-2 in a quarterfinal round game of The Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament (TCCC) Saturday (Oct. 31) at windy Suprenant Field.

Zarka's winning goal came with 6:30 left in regulation as senior midfielder Tony Rosa (Ludlow, MA) gained the assist.

This was the Golden Bears' 400th all-time victory in 44 years (400-326-61).

The Nor'easters (10-8) set the momentum early as sophomore forward Kiel Hiller (Galloway, NJ) fired deep from the left side and found the back of the net to give his team an early 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute.

Western New England College (14-5-2) didn't score until the second half off a direct kick taken by junior midfielder Alex Dos Santos (Ludlow, MA) in the 58th minute to tie the score.

UNE went ahead after sophomore midfielder Dan Crear (North Attleboro, MA) launched a shot from midfield in the 65th minute and had a little help from the strong winds, which was a factor for the whole game. Sophomore midfielder Owen Evans (West Stockbridge, MA) had the assist.

The Golden Bears struck again in the 70th minute as freshman midfielder Shawn DaCruz (Ludlow, MA) passed the ball to Rosa who hit the top of the crossbar and bounced back into the goal.

Rosa then set up Zarka for the game winning shot as Western New England College completed its comeback.

Western New England College out shot the visitors 16-7 and held a 13-4 edge in corner kicks.

Senior goalkeeper Kyle Bak (Cumberland, RI) had one save for the Golden Bears. Junior goalie Jon Planer (Yarmouth, ME) finished with four saves for the Nor'easters.

This was the Golden Bears' second win over UNE in four days following 3-0 shutout on Wednesday (Oct. 28) in the regular season finale.

Western New England College will host fifth-seeded Gordon (a 1-0 winner over fourth-seeded Salve Regina) at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 3) in the conference tournament semifinals.