MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - Senior Christopher Knoth (East Islip, N.Y.) scored the game-winning goal in the 78th minute to propel the Salve Regina University men's soccer team to a thrilling 2-1 victory over the visiting University of New England during Senior Day at Gaudet Field on Sunday afternoon. The win improves the Seahawks to 6-8-1 overall and 2-4-1 in the conference, and more importantly, gives them control over the final CCC playoff spot. The Nor'easters fall to 2-10 on the season and 1-6 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC).

Before the start of the game, the Seahawks honored Christopher Knoth, Sean McAllister (Arlongton, N.J.), Ian Jentgen (Columbus, Ohio), and Nicodemo Camarda (Burlington, N.J.) as part of the Senior Day festivities.

The two clubs entered the game neck-and-neck for the final CCC playoff spot, with the Seahawks holding just a one point advantage in the standings with just two remaining conference games on the schedule.

The Seahawks jumped on the board in the 12th minute of play, as freshman Issa Demirgioglu (Smithfield, R.I.) fed a beautiful pass to hit fellow freshman Alex Wesilewski (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) in stride down the middle of the box. Wesilewski quickly beat the UNE goalkeeper to the left corner of the net to put Salve Regina ahead, 1-0.

Despite compiling a 12-5 advantage in shots and a 2-1 edge in corners, Wesilewski's marker was the only goal the Seahawks managed in the opening period, as the two teams went into the break with SRU leading 1-0.

The Nor'easters scored the equalizer in the 65th minute when freshman Zack Bunnell (Amesbury, Mass.) assisted sophomore Kyle McGlone (Peabody, Mass.) to knot the score at 1-all.

The Seahawks took the lead for good 13 minutes later when freshman Jake Weinshank (Chapel Hill, N.C.) fed McAllister to the right post before he flicked the ball back to the middle of the box to set up Knoth for the game-winner which he drilled into the left side of the net.

Both teams will take to the field again on Wednesday, with the Nor'easters hosting Eastern Nazarene at 6:30 p.m., and the Seahawks welcoming Rodger Williams at 3:30 p.m.