The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The MIT men's soccer team saw its record-breaking season come to an end following a 3-2 loss to St. Lawrence University in the first round of the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship Tournament on Saturday. The Engineers closed the campaign with a ledger of 16-4-2.

Both sides had several opportunities to open the scoring early in the first half, but neither squad could capitalize on its chances. An hour-long lighting delay with 1:24 left in the frame did not stop MIT's building momentum. Coming out of the break, a foul gave the Engineers the ball at the top of the box. With four seconds on the clock, Christian Therkelsen sent the free kick into the top right corner for his 16th goal of the season and Institute-record 40th point.

The Cardinal and Gray extended its advantage in the 53rd minute when Andrew Bishara converted a penalty kick. The senior midfielder faked St. Lawrence's goalie, who dove left as he sent a low ball to the right side of the net.

The Saints cut their deficit in half eight minutes later on a strike by Brendan Gorman. Paul LaMarca's shot was initially stopped by MIT goalie Tom Caldwell, but Gorman gathered the rebound and converted the open-net opportunity. St. Lawrence continued to attack, tying the game at two in the 74th minute on Ryan Moore's corner kick that was redirected by Gorman. The Saints' Paul LaMarca registered what proved to be the game-winning goal five minutes later, firing a low hard shot from 30 yards out to the right side.

Caldwell collected eight saves for MIT, finishing first all-time in shutouts (19), second in goals against average (1.50), fourth in saves (345), fifth in fewest goals allowed (65), and ninth in save percentage (0.767).

St. Lawrence Edges Out MIT, 3-2, in NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament