'NORTON, MA 9/13/03 - Senior tri-captain Matt Mancini (Westford,
MA/Westford Academy) had some timely scoring Saturday afternoon,
posting his first career hat-trick and first goals this season in
leading Wheaton College to a 3-0 shutout over Keene State College
in non-conference men's soccer action at Keefe Field. Both ranked
in a tie for fourth in New England, the Lyons and Owls met for the
sixth time since 1997. Wheaton improves to 4-1 overall, while Keene
falls to 3-3 on the season.
Mancini didn't waste anytime putting the Lyons on the
scoreboard. On a cross from senior Oliver Brocard (Wellesley,
MA/Wellesley), junior Matt Ristuccia (Newton, MA/Newton North)
flicked the ball to Mancini, who used a header to beat Owl
goalkeeper Brandon Beck (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown) at the 7:45
minute mark. In the 14th minute, Mancini struck again, this time
off a restart from junior Barry Finnerty (Milton, MA/Beaver Country
Day). Finnerty served the ball from the right corner of the field
towards the far post, as an unguarded Mancini moved in for his
second header of the game to give the hosts a quick 2-0 lead that
would not be relinquished.
The Owls had multiple chances to cut into its deficit in the
second half, but solid goaltending from Wheaton's Matt Pachniuk
(Newtown, CT/Newtown) coupled with Keene shots that sailed high and
wide kept the visitors off the scoreboard. The Lyons also had their
fair share of opportunities, including George Thomas' (Canton,
MA/Canton) header that ricocheted off the crossbar with 15 minutes
to play. Just two minutes later however, Thomas was given another
shot. Thanks to a perfectly-placed corner kick attempt from
Finnerty, Thomas, who was standing near the far post, headed his
pass back to the center of the box where Mancini was there to put
the game away for good.
Pachniuk posted his third shutout of the season with six stops,
while Keene's Beck wasn't credited with a save. The Owls held a
13-10 advantage in shots.
KSC will be at Mass. College on Wednesday (4 p.m.).
(story courtesy of Wheaton College Sports Information)
