Men's Soccer Wins, 2-1, in Overtime Over Sacred Heart

The Central Connecticut men's soccer team won 2-1 in overtime over Sacred Heart on Sunday afternoon at CCSU Soccer Field. The Blue Devils improved to 2-8-2 overall and 1-1 in Northeast Conference play.

Senior James Randall took down a failed SHU clearance and ripped a one-time volley into the upper left for the game-winner with 4:47 left in overtime. The play came off a long throw in from senior Alexander Hastings that the Pioneers failed to clear away.

The Blue Devils pressured Sacred Heart for much of the first half. Senior Daquan King had a pair of chances for Central in the early going. He took a free kick for Central from 25 yards out that forced Robert Strain to dive and push it away. Just over a minute later, freshman Andres Muriel Albino played a through the SHU defense that King ran onto. Strain came running out to stop the ball and stopped King's shot.

Central's pressure paid off in the 18th minute after Albino teamed up with sophomore Louis Beddouri for a quick corner kick. Albino sent a cross into the area that found junior Luke Albertini who put a header just out of reach for Strain to make it 1-0.

Following halftime, the Pioneers turned the tide and were able to generate offensive opportunities. Sacred Heart tied the score in the 52nd minute. Shaquille Saunchez turned on his defender and raced onto the ball and chipped a shot to the lower left corner to make it 1-1.

CCSU nearly retook the lead with just under eight minutes to play when Beddouri laid off a pass for freshman Isac Mansson at the top of the penalty box. Mansson's one-time volley to the left side was punched away by Strain.

Senior Nick Velleca made eight stops for Central. The Blue Devils had a 6-3 edge in corner kicks and the Pioneers had a narrow, 16-15, margin in shots.

Central is back in action on Friday, October 21, at St. Francis Brooklyn in a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.