Austin Rocke scored his first goal of the year (Steve McLaughlin Photography)

September 12, 2023

Rocke's Last-Minute Goal Pushes Men's Soccer by Quinnipiac, 1-0

CCSU defeated QU for the first time in 10 contests.

The Central Connecticut men's soccer won with a goal in the final minute to down Quinnipiac, 1-0, on Tuesday night in New Britain, CT. Austin Rocke headed home a rebound for the game-winning score and the only goal of a back-and-forth contest.

The Blue Devils return to action on Saturday against UMass Lowell at 7:00 p.m.

GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE

Score: CCSU 1, Quinnipiac 0
Records: CCSU (2-3), Quinnipiac (2-2-1)
Location: CCSU Soccer Field | New Britain, CT

KEY MOMENTS

The first half was scoreless with CCSU having the best scoring opportunity of the period. In the 33^rd minute, Andres Aldeguer put a header on target that Karl Netzell pushed away with a diving save at the post.
The pace picked up in the second half with each team putting scoring chances together. With just over 20 minutes to play, Quinnipiac's Tomas Svecula had a shot from the endline at the near post, but Daniel Wilmore would punch the shot away for a corner kick.
With under 15 minutes remaining, the teams would trade sparkling saves in end-to-end action. QU would have a shot from point blank at the post off a corner kick that was deflected away. The Blue Devils would counter-attack with Zane Brown getting a shot off at the post that was saved by Netzell.
With just over a minute to play the Blue Devils would get a free kick from 25 yard outside the goal. Kyle Halehale directed the kick to the upper-left corner, but Netzell made a diving save to push the ball into the air, where Austin Rocke would head home the rebound from in close for the winning tally.

NUMBER TO KNOW

6 – Rocke became the sixth Blue Devil to score a goal this season. He is second on the team in scoring.

NOTES

The Blue Devils defeated the Bobcats for the first time since October 22, 2006.
Wilmore made two saves for his first shutout of the season.
CCSU outshot QU, 10-7, with Brown having a team-high three shots.
The CCSU-URI contest from September 8 that was suspended due to weather will not be resumed.

UP NEXT

The Blue Devils return to action on Saturday against UMass Lowell at 7:00 p.m.

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