CALDWELL, N.J. - Senior forward Chad Bennett (Kingston, Jamaica/Campion) scored two goals for the second time this season, as the Caldwell College men's soccer team topped Assumption College, 3-1 in a non-conference match Sunday afternoon at Caldwell Field. The victory is the Cougars' third in a row and gives them an overall record of 5-3 on the season. The Greyhounds, who had won their past four games, are now 4-2-1.

Caldwell opened the scoring in the 21st minute, when a long throw-in by sophomore Andrew Loughnane (Harrison City, PA/Penn Trafford) sprung junior midfielder Justin Miller (Monroe, NJ/Monroe) down the right side. Miller's centering pass found Bennett, who beat Assumption goalkeeper Brandan Sullivan from 12 yards out for a 1-0 lead. The Greyhounds pulled even just before halftime on a goal by Justin Pugliese in the 44th minute. Jeffrey Swan collected a loose ball in Caldwell's penalty area and sent a pass to Pugliese, whose blast from 15 yards evened the game at 1-1.

Bennett, pictured, set up the go-ahead goal in the 55th minute, when Sullivan made an outstanding save on Bennett's shot from point-blank range. But senior forward Luis Sartorio (Asuncion, Paraguay/St. Benedict's Prep) pounced on the rebound and scored into an empty net for a 2-1 Caldwell lead. Bennett's second goal of the game came off a corner kick by sophomore midfielder Bryan Broderick (West Keansburg, NJ/Raritan) that was headed on goal by Loughnane. Again, Sullivan made the initial save, only to have Bennett finish the rebound for a 3-1 Cougar advantage. Bennett, who also scored twice in a victory over Briarcliffe College on Sept. 7, now has a team-leading four goals this season.

Senior goalkeeper John Plaugic (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) made four saves in goal for Caldwell, while Sullivan finished with three saves.

The Cougars return to the field on Tuesday, Sept. 23, when they host Felician College in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference battle. Game time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Caldwell Field.
 

CC - 1 2 - 3
AC - 1 0 - 1
Scoring Summary: 1. CC - Chad Bennett 3 (Justin Miller, Andrew Loughnane), 20:22. 2. AC - Justin Pugliese 2 (Jeffrey Swan), 43:17. 3. CC - Luis Sartorio 2 (Bennett), 54:28. 4. CC - Bennett 4 (Loughnane), 60:45.

Shots: CC - 17; AC - 9

Saves: CC -  John Plaugic (86:15) 4, Steven DeAngelis (3:45) 0; AC - Brandan Sullivan 3, Team 1

Corners: CC - 7; AC - 2

Fouls: CC - 20; AC - 12

Offsides: CC - 4; AC - 0

Cautions: CC - Arena (64:26), K. Plaugic (77:45); AC - Pugliese (27:43), McGee (62:51), Fabrizi (84:19)