Men's Soccer Falls to Robert Morris in NEC Opener

The Central Connecticut men's soccer team fell to Robert Morris, 1-0, on Friday afternoon in the Northeast Conference opener for both teams. The Colonials got a second half goal for the difference in the game. CCSU slips to 3-6-2 overall and 0-1 in the NEC, while RMU improves to 2-7-2 overall and 1-0 in the league.

Central returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 8, when it hosts Saint Francis U at 1:00 p.m.

The teams played a scoreless opening period, with Robert Morris having the best chance. In the 29th minute senior Luke Albertini was given a yellow card for a handball in the 18-yard box. Bayley Winkel took the ensuing penalty kick for RMU, but senior Carson D'Ambrosio dove to his right to make the save and keep the game scoreless.

The Blue Devils put the RMU defense under pressure early in the second half, but came away empty on its chances. Just over five minutes in, senior Ryan Taylor got behind the RMU keeper, but his chip shot was cleared away by the Colonials defense. A couple minutes later, senior DeShawn Parker broke down the left wing and ripped a shot that was deflected over the goal for a corner kick.

The Colonials broke the deadlock with 56:30 to play. A ball came to RMU's Jake Cooper near midfield and he volleyed a pass ahead to Zac Sherman. Sherman settled the ball on the left wing and sent a shot to the right corner to make it 1-0.

Central looked for the equalizer and with just under 18 minutes to play, Taylor broke free and had a breakaway, but his shot was pushed away by Winter Fondi.

D'Ambrosio finished with four saves for Central, while Fondi had three saves for the shutout. Central finished with a narrow, 11-10, advantage in shots.

The Blue Devils return to action on Sunday, Oct. 8, when they host Saint Francis U at 1:00 p.m.