11/05/2008
NEWMAC Tournament: Men's Soccer Upset by Wheaton College, 1-0

WORCESTER, MASS. 11/5/08 - Freshman midfielder Pablo Mena (San Salvador, El Salvador) scored his first collegiate goal in the 49th minute to lift sixth-seed Wheaton College to an upset victory over third-seed Clark University in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) quarterfinal round men's soccer game on Wednesday night at Granger Field.

Wheaton (10-4-4) will face second-seed MIT at host and top-seed Babson College on Saturday (1 p.m.). MIT defeated WPI, 1-0, in tonight's other quarterfinal round match-up. Clark, which entered the contest ranked seventh in New England by the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll, slipped to 11-4-2 overall.

The game-winning goal began with a scramble in front of the Clark net. Mena gained possession of the ball and roofed a shot to the top left corner of the net beyond the outstretched hands of Clark keeper Peter Wise (Providence, R.I.) just 3:10 into the second half.

The Cougars had a pair of crafty attempts to tie it up within a 1:42 span of one another, but failed to convert. Sophomore forward Baran Doenmez (Dublin, N.H.) unloaded a shot from the left wing that rolled just wide of the far post in the 60th minute and junior Jeremy Radovsky's (South San Francisco, Cali.) drive from about 12-yards out glided high over a minute later.

Clark continued to pressure the Lyons for the equalizer late in the half. The home team's best chance came when freshman Adrian Blackadar (Warwick, R.I.) took an open net shot in the 65th minute. But freshman defender Rori McGonigle (Los Angeles, Cali.) slid in and booted the ball away before it could cross the goal line.

Although the two teams ended the first 45 minutes scoreless, Wheaton was solid offensively from the start with two shots and four corner kicks in the first 10 minutes of the game. However, Doenmez had the best chance of the half for Clark, as he one-timed a throw-in that flew just outside the right post three minutes in.

Wheaton edged Clark in shots (3-2) in the scoreless first frame.

The Cougars had a productive second half, outshooting the Lyons, 7-5, and held a 9-8 advantage on the day. But could not capitalize on its opportunities.

Wise recorded two saves in goal for Clark. Sophomore Cole Davidson (Needham, Mass.) picked up his third shutout in goal for Wheaton.

Clark defeated Wheaton, 1-0, during the regular season.