Sophomore Forward Jake Richard directs traffic for the Bulldogs offense (Image Courtesy of Dean Athletics/Frank Poulin)
FRANKLIN, MA – The Dean College Bulldogs men’s soccer team grinded out their first win of Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play in the 2023 season with a 1-0 victory Saturday afternoon at Longley Athletic Complex. Elms College was riding high off a 2-1 Wednesday night home win vs Colby-Sawyer, while Dean needed a rebound match following their 4-0 shutout road loss to the University of St. Joseph (CT) the same evening.
The Bulldogs controlled the game in the major categories as they led in shots 14-13, shots on goal 7-5, corners 5-2, and beat the Blazers out in fouls 10-21. Right from kick-off it seemed as if senior goalkeeper Alberto Gonzalez Del Rio of Dean, and senior goaltender Collin Liedke of Elms were going to have their hands full on this chilly September afternoon.
Despite some key opportunities to cash in for both sides, the match remained scoreless until the 67th minute. Senior midfielder Reinorf Kusi booted a loose ball through a tiring Blazers defense that found the speedy sophomore Jake Richard. Richard took the ball in on a breakaway and sent a powerful kick to the top of the cage that would account for a 1-0 Dean lead and the only goal of the day.
“Today’s game will go down as one of the season’s highlights.” said first-year Brad Walker. “We got the job done and showed what kind of team we are,” Walker continued.
With the win, the Bulldogs move to 3-2-1 overall (1-2-1 GNAC) ahead of a key road showdown on Tuesday at Norwich University against the Cadets at 7pm.