NEW LONDON, Conn. — Sophomore forward Gael Vera (Westminster, Mass.) scored in the 86th minute to give the No. 10 Wheaton College (Mass.) men's soccer team a 1-1 draw with host United States Coast Guard Academy this afternoon at Nelson W. Nitchman Field in New London, Conn.
The Lyons, who are ranked in the most recent United Soccer Coaches national poll, extend their school-record season unbeaten streak to 16 games and are now 12-0-4, including 5-0-1 in NEWMAC play. The tie guarantees that Wheaton will host a NEWMAC Championship Tournament match. The Bears remain unbeaten in conference play with a 3-0-3 mark as part of an overall 7-4-5 season record as they clinch a NEWMAC playoff berth with the point.
The Lyons controlled possession with a 21-7 shot advantage, including 11-1 in shots on frame. Wheaton maintained an 11-3 margin in corner kicks.
The Lyons ended a drought of just over 85 minutes of scoreless soccer when they finally broke through with the game-tying score. Sophomore midfielder Jack Morlock (Brookfield, Conn.) sent a long cross from the middle of the field in Coast Guard's defensive zone to sophomore back Austin Hoadley (South Kent, Conn.) in the right corner of the endline. Hoadley lifted a cross to the goalmouth, where Vera was able to direct the ball into the upper right corner of the net with a header for his eighth marker of the year. The goal came with 4:58 to play in the match and extended Vera's goal streak to five straight games for the longest string for a Wheaton player since Roni Diniz '20 netted at least one marker in five straight contests from September 7-18, 2016.
Coast Guard seized on a turnover just before midfield on Wheaton's side of the field, before cracking the scoring column first with a marker in the 19th minute of play to take a 1-0 lead. Sophomore midfielder Nick Yorgason (Pleasant View, Utah) intercepted a cross off a short free kick, carried the ball into the Lyons' defensive zone, before sending a cross to sophomore forward James Von Dyl (San Diego, Calif.) inside the right side of the box. Von Dyl dribbled further into the goalmouth, before unleashing a shot that tucked just inside the right post for his second goal of the year with 26:17 remaining in the first half.
Sophomore keeper Connor Hickey (South Berwick, Maine) was outstanding for the Bears, recording eight saves. Wheaton senior goalie Michael O'Gara (Ardmore, Pa.) faced just one shot for the game.
The Lyons return to the pitch on Tuesday, October 28 when they head to Babson Park, Mass. to take on NEWMAC rival Babson College for a 3:00 p.m. match, while Coast Guard travels to Springfield, Mass. to play league foe Springfield College on the same day at 7:00 p.m.
