MEN'S SOCCER: JWU Tops SJC, 1-0, in Double Overtime to Claim GNAC Crown
JWU sophomore Kevin Reilly netted the game's only goal in double OT on Saturday afternoon to lift the Wildcats over the Monks in the GNAC Championship match.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Courtesy of JWU Athletics Communications
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Johnson & Wales University men's soccer team hoisted the Great Northeast Athletic Conference championship trophy on Saturday afternoon in a double overtime thriller at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex. The Wildcats and Monks of Saint Joseph's College of Maine were the number one and two seeds respectively in the tournament in a rematch of the 2018 finals.
Records:
Saint Joseph's ME: 16-2-3 (9-0-2 GNAC)
Johnson & Wales: 17-2-2 (10-0-1 GNAC)
Statistical Leaders:
Kevin Reilly (JWU): 1 goal
JP Rioux (JWU): 1 assist
Goalkeepers:
SJC: David Walbridge (L, 15-2-3) 6 saves
JWU: Austin Scoggin (W, 15-2-2) 9 saves
Of Note:
Through back-and-forth action with both teams having multiple chances through regulation the Wildcats and Monks stayed tied after 90 minutes. Junior Austin Scoggin continued his outstanding efforts in goal with a save off a corner in the 27th minute. The visitors outshot JWU 7-2 in the first half while the Wildcats took a 7-6 advantage in the second stanza. The Monks held an 9-1 advantage in corners while a 7-5 lead in fouls to close out regulation.
In the second overtime, there was a scrum in front of the net that saw a ball on the foot of JP Rioux. Rioux, with his back to goal, touched a pass to Kevin Reilly who buried a shot near post past the diving keeper to secure the Wildcats victory. The win is the first since 2015 for JWU and the ninth in program history.
All-Tournament Team:
Colin Grant SJC
Austin Ward SJC
Jacob Rockwood SJC
Julio Arreola Norwich
Amerle Nemeye Norwich
Deante Anderson USJ
Michael Torres USJ
Jehon Balidemaj JWU MVP
Riley McNicholas JWU
Austin Scoggin JWU
Kevin Reilly JWU
Braeden Krakosky JWU
Next Game:
The Wildcats will enter the NCAA Tournament next weekend, awaiting their opponent. The NCAA Selection Show will be Monday at 1:30 p.m.
