Men's Soccer Falls at Bryant in Season Opener
The Blue Devils were unable to overcome a second-half goal.
The Central Connecticut men's soccer team dropped its season-opener, 1-0, at Bryant on Thursday night in Smithfield, RI. The Bulldogs scored the game's only goal with just over a half-hour remaining in a game marked by stout defensive play.
The Blue Devils return to action on Monday, August 28, with a 5:00 p.m. game at UMass.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: CCSU 0, Bryant 1
Records: CCSU (0-1-0), Bryant (1-0-0)
Location: Beirne Stadium | Smithfield, RI
KEY MOMENTS
- Ivan Farias-Martinez had Central's first shot of the night for CCSU at 23:08, but his attempt was blocked. The Bulldogs had a shot on frame with just under five minutes to go in the half but Daniel Wilmore made a save to keep the game scoreless at the break..
- Bryant broke the deadlock and scored the game's only goal in the 56th minute off a corner kick. Inigo Villaldea sent the kick in and Abdel Talabi beat the defense to the ball and headed in his shot from just inside the six-yard box to make it 1-0.
- The Bulldogs would have a shot go off the post in the 66th minute, but the Blue Devils would manage just one shot in the final 20 minutes and were unable to find an equalizer..
NUMBER TO KNOW
12 – The teams combined for just 12 shots with the Bulldogs accounting for the only four shots on frame in the contest
NOTES
- Bryant has won four of the last five meetings in the series and are 9-4-2 in meetings going back to 2008. The teams were former Northeast Conference rivals before the Bulldogs moved to the America East prior to the season.
- Daniel Wilmore made three saves in goal for the Blue Devils.
- Farias-Martinez and Austin Rocke each recorded shots for CCSU.
- The teams had a combined for 14 corner kicks in the game, with Bryant holding a 10-4 edge.
- Bryant had an unofficial 61-39 advantage in possession.
NEXT UP
The Blue Devils return to action on Monday, August 28, with a 5:00 p.m. game at UMass.