Noga leads Bison past Endicott, 2-1

Recap, photo courtesy of Nichols College

DUDLEY, Mass. – The Nichols College men's soccer team defeated Endicott College 2-1 in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action Monday afternoon at Michael J. Vendetti Field.
 
The Bison outshot the Gulls 16-10 for the game including 13-4 in the second half. Endicott held the shot edge and a 1-0 lead but were forced to play with just 10 men after a red card was assessed to sophomore Chris Montani (Fairfield, Conn.) just 3:21 into the second half.
 
The Gulls got on the board first at 35:57 when freshman Emmanuel Kollie (Boston, Mass.) potted his
first collegiate-goal by breaking down the right side and beating freshman goaltender Juan Carlos De La Cruz (Stamford, Conn.) to the lower right corner. The goal broke a streak of 207:41 minutes of scoreless action from De La Cruz.
 
The Bison evened things up in the 60th minute when freshman Jonathan Ingram (Belchertown, Mass.) found classmateChris Noga (Belchertown, Mass.) – named CCC Rookie of the Week earlier in the day – who then turned and fired a ball into the lower right side of the net.
 
Junior Paul Sickinger (Tyngsboro, Mass.) added the game-winner at 80:38 when Noga found him on a through-ball between the defense that he was able to place by the goalie into the lower left third.
 
Senior captain David Melanson (Simsbury, Conn.) paced the Bison with four shots while Endicott was led by freshman Evan Couchot (Mason, Ohio) with four.
 
De La Cruz moves to 2-1-1 on the year after making five saves in the game. Senior Nick Weinstein (Trumbull, Conn.) allowed the first two goals he has allowed in a regular season conference match in four games dating back to a year ago and takes the loss after registering five stops.
 
All-Time Series
The Bison have now evened the all-time series at 10-10-1.
 
Quotes
"Today was one of those games that was intense from the first touch all the way to the final whistle. Endicott is a great team, and having such a young squad I knew it would take something special to win today. The guys came through,  and after making a few adjustments for the 2nd half, we frustrated them as well as finishing two tremendous goals. Very happy for the guys as we get ready for Fitchburg State on Wednesday." – Nichols head coach Chris Traina
 
"We needed a different look during the second half, and subbed in Noga, who 'made me look good' by scoring a goal moments after he took the field. The game winner was assisted by Noga, who threaded a great ball in to Sickinger, who buried the game winner." – Traina on second half changes
 
Next Games
Nichols (6-4-1, 3-1-0 CCC) – Wednesday, October 5 at Fitchburg St., 7:00 p.m.
Endicott (5-3-2, 2-1-0 CCC) – Tuesday, October 4 at Eastern Nazarene, 7:00 p.m.