Men’s Soccer Falls At Coast Guard

NEW LONDON, Conn.-- Senior Gio Ottomanelli scored two goals to lead Coast Guard men's soccer to a 5-0 victory over Westfield State in non-conference play on Tuesday evening. The Bears are now 6-4 on the season, while the Owls drop to 2-6 overall.

Ottomanelli notched two goals in the victory, sophomore Robbie Fugett added a goal and an assist, and junior Daniel Taglianetti had two assists for the Bears.

Coast Guard got on the board first in the 11th minute as Fugett brought the ball down to the left corner and sent a cross to Ottomanelli where he buried a header for his second goal of the season.

The Bears extended their lead in the 40th minute when Taglianetti sent a cross from just outside the box to meet senior Brock Hassett as he connected the cross with a header for his first goal of the season. The Bears held a 13-5 advantage in shots in the first half. 

The Bears opened the second half with a goal, three minutes into play. Senior Taka Lendon made a tackle that sent the ball right to Fugett running into the box as he beat Westfield junior goalkeeper Griffin Brown for a 3-0 lead.

Ottomanelli tallied his second goal of the game as Taglianetti sent a pass that was deflected by a defender and landed right on  as he redirected the ball into the goal to give the Bears a 4-0 lead in the 72nd minute.

Freshman John DiTommaso scored his first collegiate goal in the 84th minute as he took a free kick outside the box that curved inside the far post to give the Bears the 5-0 final.

Coast Guard held a 19-10 advantage in shots and a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Coast Guard junior goalkeeper James Morrison made four saves in the victory to record his third win of the season. Brown tallied six saves in the loss for the Owls as he drops to 0-2 on the season.