Box Score BRIARCLIFF, N.Y. – Bentley erased a 5-1 third quarter deficit with four quick strikes, but Pace got the better of the fourth quarter and won Saturday's Northeast-10 game 8-6 in the regular season finale.
Both teams started slow in a game that would decide the sixth and final Northeast-10 playoff spot as both teams entered the day with a 5-5 conference record.
Just three goals were scored in the first half as Pace led 2-1. They led 1-0 after the first quarter, as Bentley goalie Daniel Shaughnessy (Sudbury, Mass./Lincoln-Sudbury) prevented further damage with four saves. The second quarter was similarly low scoring; neither team scored until the last 3:36. Bentley's Matt Sanford (Stratham, N.H./Bow) scored his 10th goal of the season, followed by Pace going ahead just before halftime on a goal by attacker Peter Sharp with 1:48 left in the half.
Pace opened the third quarter on a roll and staked themselves to a 5-1 lead through two goals by midfielder Wyatt Barfoot and one by Matt Cossidente. Barfoot's second goal gave the Setters the four goal lead at the 7:49 mark.
Bentley though erupted for four goals over the last 5:39 of the third quarter to tie the game, two each from midfielders Mike Giorgetti (Framingham, Mass./Framingham) and Matt Brigham (Portsmouth, R.I./Portsmouth Abbey). Giorgetti's second of the run came with 1:04 left in the quarter, followed by Brigham's tying goal with 20 seconds left.
Pace though took a 6-5 lead on a goal by Cossidente at 12:28, and he scored again about three minutes later to give the Setters a 7-5 lead. Freshman Nick Buttafuoco (Sandwich, Mass./Sandwich) made it a one goal game for Bentley at the 3:52 mark, making the score 7-6 after a goal drought by both teams.
Bentley won the ensuing face-off and had shots by Buttafuoco and Bobby Hinds (West Hartford, Conn./Conard) saved by goalie Michael Bonitatibus on the possession. Pace though cleared after Hinds' shot, and drew a penalty on Bentley with 2:03 left. Pace took advantage as Cossidente scored the clinching goal with 1:36 left.
With the win Pace will move on to the postseason where they will face Adelphi in the quarterfinals, while Bentley's season comes to an end at 6-7.
