MEDFORD, MA. -  Following two early goals scored within minutes of each other, the #2 Wesleyan men's soccer team played out a herculean defensive effort for the remaining clock, falling short in a 2-1 defeat to #5 Conn. College in the NESCAC semifinal on Saturday afternoon at Tufts University's Bello Field.

Making their first appearance in the NESCAC semifinal round in 10 years, the Cardinals (9-4-4 overall) found themselves at a deficit early in the matchup with the Camels (10-2-5 overall).  The Camels struck with just under three minutes of action underway from the kickoff, capitalizing on a corner kick. Gavin Mpiana put the ball into the right corner on a header, assisted by Marco Perugini with the initial kick.

Unwavering, the Camels scored again five minutes later. Max Haberman, one of the top scorers for the Camels, hit a high arching shot that caught Cardinals' goalkeeper Mathis Blanc ' 26 over the goal line by the time he made the stop. The two-goal deficit kicked the Cardinals into high gear, and they played out the remainder of the first half on pace with the Camels.

Outshot in the first half, the Cardinals would match the Camels in the second half with a count of six. All three of TJ Krongard's saves followed, Yousuf Saeed '27, Joshwin Jennings '27, and Dylan Clack '27 all attacking.

Clack would get his due, scoring his first of the season with 35 seconds rolling in regulation to cut the score and hold off a shutout by the Camels. Deep in the near, right corner, Saeed settled the ball and crossed into the box, Clack hitting a tipped ball as it fell. Krongard made a save but did not have control and the ball rolled over the line.

In goal, Blanc finished the afternoon with two saves for the Cardinals.

The Camels, the defending NESCAC Champions, will play #1 Tufts in the NESCAC finals.

The Cardinals await the NCAA Tournament selection show on Monday, Nov. 10, at 11:30 a.m.