Box Score BRUNSWICK, ME –– Near the end of contentious 90 minutes between both sides, one Eph remained calm and composed en route to another victory. Keeper Ben Diffley was everywhere and anywhere, ascending to punch away crosses and frequently shot-stopping to maintain the Ephs' clean sheet.
The Ephs kicked off against NESCAC foe Bowdoin to wrap up their Maine trip after tying Colby 0-0 yesterday.
The Polar Bears started the half well –– registering three shots in the first five minutes, the third of which rattled the post after Charlie Wood struck it from outside the box.
The Ephs responded when Cole Morriello hit the post in the 7th minute, as the Ephs looked to put pressure on Bowdoin's strong defense.
Throughout the first half, the Ephs created a handful of chances by playing the long-ball from the backline.
At the beginning of the second half, Bowdoin came close to scoring after Ronaldo Cabral's half-volley flew just wide of Ephs' keeper Ben Diffley.
But just minutes later, the Ephs scored off a Cole Morriello long throw-in that found Sam Gibson in the box; who made no mistake dispatching his effort into the bottom corner for his first collegiate goal.
The Ephs played some lovely combination soccer in the build-up to goal, earning only the 4th goal allowed by Bowdoin on the season.
Fiercely protecting their lead, Eamon Gara Grady and Daniel Zhang put in a series of blocks in the 55th minute. The Ephs' backline has been one of the better NESCAC units of the season –– only conceding 4 goals coupled with Ben Diffley's 26 saves.
In what's bound to be a good one, the Ephs face rivals Amherst at 2 p.m. on Cole Field on Oct. 1.
