Men's Soccer Drops 2-1 Decision to Curry in ECAC Quarterfinals

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Freshman defender Giancarlo Orsini (Watertown, Conn.) tallied a pair of second half goals including the game-winner with just over three minutes remaining to lift sixth-seeded Curry College to a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over third-seeded Bridgewater State University in the quarterfinal round of the 2014 ECAC Division III New England Men's Soccer Tournament.

The Colonels (11-9-1) advance to the semifinal round and will take on #2 Endicott College on Saturday in Beverly, Massachusetts.  The Gulls, who are hosting the remainder of the tournament, defeated Elms College, 5-1, in their quarterfinal round matchup.  Bridgewater ends the season with an overall record of 10-9-1.

Senior midfielder Steve McAvoy (Walpole, Mass.) got the host Bears on the board in the 29th minute off a restart.  McAvoy took the direct kick and ripped a shot inside the left post from 25 yards out.

Earlier in the half, the Bears had a golden opportunity to dent the scoreboard, but sophomore midfielder Jonathan Pires' (Medford, Mass.) penalty kick attempt in the 14th minute was turned aside by Curry sophomore netminder Dan Johnson (Easton, Conn.).

Junior forward Matt Cotnoir (Longmeadow, Mass.) nearly tied things up for the Colonels 8 ½ minutes into the second half, but his header, destined for inside the left post, was turned away at the last possible moment on a diving stop by BSU sophomore goaltender Colin Jepson (Sandwich, Mass.).

Curry would not be denied, however, as Orsini converted off a deflection of an Eric Miller (Hanover, Mass.) shot in the 68th minute to knot the score at 1-1. The goal came off a corner kick sent into the box by freshman midfielder Dave Stapleton (Easton, Mass.).

Orsini's game-winner, with just 3:02 left on the clock, also came off a corner.  After a save by Jepson and another stop by a BSU defender, Orsini knocked home his own rebound to put the Colonels on top to stay.

Curry held a 22-15 shot advantage for the game as well as a 7-2 edge in corner kicks.

Johnson finished with five saves to post his tenth win of the season between the pipes for the Colonels.  Jepson turned aside seven shots for the Bears in the setback.