Men's Soccer Falls to Stony Brook, 1-0, Wednesday Night

The Central Connecticut men's soccer team surrendered a lone goal in the second half and fell to Stony Brook, 1-0, on Wednesday night at CCSU Soccer Field. The Seawolves' game-winner came late in the second half and CCSU was unable to find the equalizer.

Central is now 0-2-1 on the season, while Stony Brook is 3-2.

The teams played an even first half with each side having chances to get on the scoreboard. The Blue Devils' first opportunity came just under 10 minutes into the game when junior Rodrigo Giraldo Salvador played a cross in from the left wing and found senior Daquan King in front of the net. King's one-time volley just missed and ricocheted off the crossbar.

Senior Nick Velleca made a stop in the 25th minute off a Stony Brook free kick from the right wing to keep the Seawolves off the board. The ball came in from 25 yards out and fell to Danny Espinoza, whose shot from close range inside the 18-yard box was smothered by Velleca. The Seawolves had another opportunity just before halftime on a throw-in. Espinoza's long throw got into the box and Martieon Watson got a foot to it, but his shot went high over the crossbar and the teams went into the intermission tied 0-0.

The second half began in much the same way, with each side looking to break the scoreless tie. Stony Brook's attack picked up just over 10 minutes into the second half. Off of a free kick, Lars Togstad headed a pass to Vince Erdei who tried to bicycle kick his shot in, but the attempt went high. CCSU had its first chance of the second half just over a minute later when junior Ryan Taylor dribbled into the box on the right side, but his shot at the near post was turned away.

The Seawolves broke the deadlock with just under 23 minutes to play. A corner kick was played to the far post and the ball took a fortunate bounce to Jarred Dass who played a ball towards goal that was redirected by a CCSU defender past a diving Velleca to the right post and into the back of the net.

The Blue Devils had one last chance in the waning seconds, but sophomore Sebastian Calderon had his shot from the right side go wide off the side netting. 

Velleca started and made four saves for CCSU. Taylor had two shots for Central, including one on frame.

Tom McMahon made three saves for Stony Brook to collect the shutout.

The Blue Devils return to action on Saturday, Sept. 10, with a 3:00 p.m. kickoff on the campus of Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY.