Lyons explode for four markers in second half

NORTON, Mass. – Behind a pair of goals from junior forward Travis Blair (Hastings, N.Y./Hastings), the Wheaton College men's soccer team defeated Coast Guard Academy, 5-0, on Saturday afternoon in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) matchup.

Prior to the contest, senior Adam Sholi (Sandwich, Mass./Sandwich) was honored for his contributions towards the men's soccer program, while at halftime, several alums of the Wheaton College men's soccer program were also honored for their overall contributions to the success of the program. In addition, the 2003 NCAA Final Four squad was recognized between stanzas. The 2003 team, which is the only squad to reach the NCAA Final Four in the history of the program, posted a 14-game unbeaten streak and ranked No. 20 overall in the country according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) that season before falling to Drew University in penalty kicks, 4-2, after playing to a 1-1 double overtime draw.

Blair opened up the scoring in the 18th minute heading home a cross from junior captain Luke Finkelstein (Peabody, Mass./Peabody) for his team-leading 13th goal of the season and an early 1-0 advantage.

After an own goal by Coast Guard at 54:59, Blair deposited a feed by junior Ben Altneu (Orleans, Mass./Nauset Regional) behind Bears' junior goalkeeper Richie Burns (Long Beach, Calif.) for a 3-0 lead.

Sophomore Noah Kossoff (New York, N.Y./Birch Wathen Lenox School) made it 4-0 in the 63rd minute with his sixth marker of the year and freshman Steven Pinski (Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) capped the scoring at 81:01.

Junior Marlon Ramalho (Framingham, Mass./Bridgton Academy) was credited with an assist on Kossoff's goal, while classmate Shaun Guenette (Belchertown, Mass./Belchertown) picked up an assist on Pinski's tally.

The Lyons outshot Coast Guard, 15-8, and held a 5-4 differential in corners. Wheaton sophomore goalkeeper Matt Dickey (Newton, Mass./Northfield Mount Hermon School) collected two saves for his sixth shutout of the season. Burns stopped four shots in the loss.

Wheaton (12-5-0, 5-1-0 NEWMAC) travels to Colby-Sawyer College on Tuesday, October 29 for a non-conference matchup at 3 p.m. Coast Guard (6-7-3, 2-3-1 NEWMAC) hosts Maritime (N.Y.) tomorrow at 1 p.m. With the win, the Lyons improved to 11-4-4 in the all-time series versus the Bears dating back to 1994.

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