FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 31, 2007

2007 Little East Conference Men’s Soccer Tournament
Semifinal Round Game

Willimantic, CT

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Final

^#4 Rhode Island College (8-9-2)

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^#1 Eastern Connecticut (11-6-2)

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FIRST HALF GOAL ENDS ANCHORMEN’S SEASON
Warriors Advance to LEC Championship Game

Willimantic, CT – Maxim Fantl’s team-leading ninth goal of the season less than three minutes into the match stood up as top-seeded Eastern Connecticut advanced to the Championship Game of the 2007 Little East Conference Men’s Soccer Tournament with its second, 1-0 win, over fourth-seeded Rhode Island College in the last 11 days.

The Anchormen end their season with an 8-9-2 overall record, the program’s first losing season in six years. Eastern hosts third-seeded and five-time playoff champion Keene State this Saturday in the title match at a time not yet determined. Keene State eliminated second-seeded University of Southern Maine, 2-1, Wednesday at Gorham, ME.

Fantl scored his fourth game-winning goal of the season off a free kick from Kyle Bedini, and goalkeeper Jay Barney needed only two saves to record his 22^nd career full match shutout in 63 starts. Since giving up four goals to RIC as a freshman, Barney has shut out the Anchormen in his last four starts, collecting 380 shutout minutes. It was the fourth straight shutout for Barney, who lowered his conference-leading goals-against average to 0.65 and raise his conference-leading save percentage to .881.

Rhode Island College senior goalkeeper Jadon Neves (Warren, RI) made four saves in a losing effort. Rhode Island College outshot the Warriors, 11-8, but only three shots were on net.

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