MIDDTLETOWN, CT. – Set to make their fifth-straight NESCAC Championship appearance, the Wesleyan men's soccer team punched their ticket with a 2-1 victory over Colby College on Saturday afternoon, nearly walking away with a one-goal shutout before Colby tied the game and forced Wesleyan to a nail-biting finish from Jackson Field.

Tied up at one with less than five minutes remaining in regulation, Chris Porte '25 settled at the goal line nailed the game-winning goal of a left foot tap in to clinch the Cardinals' (6-3-5 overall, 3-3-3 NESCAC) fifth NESCAC tournament appearance in a row. Forcing a turnover as the Cardinals were charging the Mules' (6-8-0 overall, 1-8-0 NESCAC) defense, Colin Campbell '25 was given enough time to cross the field to Will Geballe '26 inside the box. Geballe, clocking his own rebounded shot, found Porte waiting for Mules' goalkeeper Gus Canfalone to fall before knocking the ball into the back right corner of the goal.  

The Cardinals were first to the board this afternoon, waiting only a minute and a half to strike before taking the one goal lead thanks to a Josh LaCorte '26 header. Taking the throw on the near line for the Cardinals, Geballe kept the throw short to Joshwin Jennings '27, but Jennings passed back and Geballe's booted ball went high across the goal line to LaCorte ready on the jump. The Cardinals would hold the lead for another 69 minutes.

While the action was steady up and down the field following LaCorte's goal, the Cardinals paced the ball for much of the game. Geballe nearly had his own goal in the 29^th minute on a breakaway but his attempt was blocked inside the box. Porte would find his first solid attempt on goal just a handful of minutes later, careening a shot off the right goal post. The Mules pressed through the final 10 minutes of the half but were given little room to put shots on goal.

The second half began with the gas pedal to the floor of the Cardinals, continuing to control the ball down in front of the Mules' goal, but dreams of a shutout were thwarted as the Mules tied the game up in the 71^st minute. Mario Simoes caught two Cardinal defenders off and was able to put a ball behind Mathis Blanc.

Geballe and the defense kept the Mules to only seven shots total, allowing Blanc to finish the afternoon with six saves and earn the win. Porte led with five of the Cardinals' 18 shots as Canfalone and Brendan McCarthy combined for five saves in net for the Mules.

The Cardinals return to action on Tuesday, Oct. 29, when they head to Connecticut College for the final match of the regular season with kickoff beginning at 3:30 p.m.