Clark 2, Men's Soccer 1

Box Score        

Worcester,  MA --- Visiting Clark University scored a pair of goals in the opening 13:34 then held off a late WPI rally to post a 2-1 victory in NEWMAC men's soccer action on Saturday afternoon.  With the result, the Cougars improve to 8-3-2 overall and 1-2-1 in conference play.  WPI is now 5-6 on the season and 0-4 in NEWMAC action. 

Clark opened the scoring just 5:05 into the match when Kyle Klapp (Schenectady, NY) knocked home a rebound following a Preben Gietz (Waterloo, Belgium) shot.  The Cougars extended to lead to 2-0 in the 14th minute when Baran Doenmez (Dublin, NH) ripped a direct kick from just outside the 18-yard box inside the right post for his team-leading eighth marker of the season. 

After nearly 70 minutes of scoreless action, Ben Gilde (Manchester, MA) got the Engineers to 2-1 when he nailed home a deflected cross from Thomas Cucinotta (Easton, MA) in the 83rd minute.  The goal was Gilde's team-best fourth of the year and 20th of his standout career.  

The Crimson and Gray were not able to muster another quality scoring chance until a free kick from 40 yards out in the closing seconds but the Cougars were able to clear the ball and secure their first conference victory of the season.  

Clark goalkeeper Peter Wise (Providence, RI) and his WPI counterpart Paul Moan (Watertown, MA) were each credited with four saves on the afternoon.  The visitors enjoyed a slight 13-10 edge in shots on the day and attempted nine of the match's 13 corner kicks. 

WPI returns to action on Monday when they host Becker in a non-conference match at 7pm.  Clark is idle until next Saturday when they venture to Norton, MA for a 1pm contest versus Wheaton.