Men's Soccer Falls at Bryant in Season Opener

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 56^th 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 66^th 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.