DUDLEY, Mass. – The Clark University men's soccer team (2-4-3) traveled to Nichols (7-4) for the Cougars' second-to-last non-conference matchup of the season. First-year Owen Bergin got the scoring started with a header in the first half. A goal from first-year Wyatt Polletta extended the lead in the second half, and the Cougars withstood a late Bison push to secure a 2-1 road win.
How it Happened
- Following back-and-forth play to start the game, senior Myles Nelson-Atkins fired the first shot of the game off a cross to the far post, striking the post and side netting but not finding the back of the net.
- After two more shots from the Cougars were blocked or sailed high, first-year Julian Dubash delivered a perfect corner kick to Bergin, who headed it home to make it 1-0 in the 20th minute.
- Play continued in the midfield until the 34th minute, when senior Jaime Pedraza made his first save of the game on a shot from outside the 18-yard box.
- Pedraza added another save in the 38th minute before making one final stop in the closing minute of the half to preserve Clark's one-goal lead at the break.
- The Cougars added a goal three minutes into the second half when first-year Ryan Hoffelder found first-year Wyatt Polletta, who sent a shot off the crossbar. The ball ricocheted back to Polletta and off of him into the back of the net to extend the lead to 2-0.
- Junior Jordan Adeyemi put a shot on goal in the 70th minute, but the Bison responded a minute later. Zach O'Meara found Shea Ullo for a close-range finish to cut the lead to one.
- Bergin broke behind the defense late in the half and fired a low shot toward the corner, but a diving save kept Nichols within reach.
- That proved to be the final shot on goal of the game as Clark held on to secure the 2-1 road win.
Inside the Box Score
- The Cougars recorded 17 shots, including five on goal, while earning seven corner kicks and drawing seven fouls.
- Bergin led the team with two shots on goal and scored his first career goal to open the scoring.
- Polletta also netted the first goal of his career in the effort, with Hoffelder picking up his first career point with the assist on the goal.
- Dubash recorded his second assist of the season on the corner kick. He currently leads the team with six points.
- Pedraza made four saves in goal for the Cougars.
What's Next
The Scarlet and White resume NEWMAC play with a trip down Park Avenue to take on WPI on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
