Union soccer midfielder Manna has winning return at Babson

The Union College junior midfielder from Acton scored the winning goal on a curling shot off a corner kick to give the men’s soccer team a 3-2 overtime victory at Babson College in Wellesley.

“It was a timely goal and win,’’ said Union head coach Jeff Guinn, whose team improved to 7-2, “because we had three tents set up after the game for an alumni reception that included former players and their families from the Boston area.’’

The reception was arranged by the families of three area players on the Union squad - Manna, a former leading scorer at Buckingham Browne & Nichols, senior defender and tri-captain John Mara of Concord (Middlesex School), and junior forward Ben Stewart, a former standout at Acton-Boxborough Regional High.

“I called my dad Friday night and asked him to buy me some cleats I could wear for the rainy conditions and wet field last Saturday, so I thanked him for that afterwards,’’ said Manna, who had four goals going into Friday’s game at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

“It was pretty convenient for our parents to organize the get-together since they all live close to Babson. I’ve had a few game-winners before but this one definitely meant a lot. Two years ago at Babson we lost in the final 10 seconds, 2-1, so that was definitely on my mind.’’

Manna has adapted well at wide midfield after two seasons at forward, where at 5-foot-5 he had quite a challenge with his back to the defenders.

“Now he can take advantage of his quickness and dribbling ability,’’ said Guinn, whose team was ninth in the East Region with a four-game win streak.

Speaking of his other local players, he said, “Mara has started every game since the fifth game of his freshman year and has done well at center-mid after playing outside back. He’s the hardest working player I’ve ever coached here. And Stewart has worked his way into the rotation after some fine practices and has chipped in with a pair of goals.’’

A 5-foot-9, 200-pound junior, Ambrosi was moved to safety, and in his first start, facing Yale on Sept. 26, his 20-yard interception return for a touchdown provided the winning points in a 14-12 victory. Ambrosi, who was starting in place of an injured teammate, also recorded three crucial pass breakups, and was named the Ivy League’s Defensive Player of the Week.

“Anthony just recently made the position change and he is such a good football player that he has come in and instinctively made plays,’’ said Cornell head coach Jim Knowles. “As he improves his technique and understanding of the position, he’ll get even better. For two years, he’s been on the cusp of being a significant contributor and he’s broken through to do just that.’’

“Cara, Marlis, and Anna are running very well and, while they are not factoring into the scoring for our team, they have put in a lot of great work over the summer and are showing some significant improvements this fall,’’ said Nedeau. “They have shown significant time drops from last fall and, based on their workouts and training recently, I am quite confident all three will be running to their fastest times in coming races.’’

“Sasha’s speed and stickwork always require the defense to be at the ready,’’ said WPI head coach Lisa Moreau, whose roster also includes freshman forward Megan Read of Wrentham (King Philip Regional High).

“Tim has been solid throughout the year,’’ said head coach Chaka Daley. “He’s our most dangerous scoring threat and we look to him for leadership in that department.’’

Marvin Pave can be reached at 508-820-4223 or marvin.pave@ rcn.com.