DANBURY, Conn. - Top-seeded Western Connecticut State University and third-seeded Rhode Island College battled to a scoreless draw through 110 minutes of game action before the host Wolves secured a 3-1 decision in penalties to secure their 2024 Little East Conference (LEC) Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament title, and punch their ticket to the 2024 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
 
There was no lack of scoring attempts through in regulation or overtime. WestConn (15-4-3) racked up 36 shots in the contest, with all 16 shots on goal turned away by RIC (11-6-3) keeper Wesley Perrotto. He made 14 saves through 90 minute and had one stop in each of the two overtime periods. The Anchormen put five of their 11 shots on goal, each of which was turned away by Wolves’ keeper Zachary Benson, who also had two stops in OT.
 
Benson went on to record three more save in the penalty rounds that would determine who would claim the LEC title. He dove to his right to knock away Tariq Adio’s opening round bid and later stopped Lucas Duquette’s third round attempt with a diving save towards his left. RIC’s Nathan Capelo’s drive to the lower-left side portion of the net was secured by Benson in the fourth, and what proved to be final round of penalties to end the match.
 
WestConn was successful on three of its four PKs, starting with Kamal Sabar’s first round conversion. Kadin Talho buried his second round attempt before semifinal hero Maximus Vigo was successful on his fourth round attempt. Benson was the lone Wolf who failed to convert his penalty bid against Perrotto.
 
Alijah Nunes found the back of the net in the second round of penalties, making it 2-1 in favor of the hosts through two rounds.
 
WestConn won the LEC tournament tile for the second consecutive season, and sixth time in program history. The Wolves will learn their NCAA tournament opponent Monday with the national field is announced on NCAA.com.