Klukowski Scores Team-Best Eighth Goal, CCSU Falls to Quinnipiac, 3-1

The Central Connecticut men's soccer team (6-6-2) lost to Quinnipiac (8-4-2, 3-2-0), 3-1, and fell to 0-4-1 in Northeast Conference play on the road Sunday afternoon. Senior captain Yan Klukowski continued his high scoring season, tallying his eighth goal of the year. He now has 21 points.

Just like Blue Devil seniors Klukowski and David Tyrie, Quinnipiac's Graciano Brito is a MAC Hermann Trophy candidate in 2008. The senior made a definite impact in today game, having his foot in each of the Bobcats' three goals. He got things started early in the first half when he fired a shot on goal off of a pass from sophomore Dominic Adams in the eighth minute. Brito's shot rebounded out and freshman forward Durval Pereira finished it off to put Quinnipiac up, 1-0.

Central got into the action when the Blue Devils were awarded their third penalty kick of the season, with only three minutes to play in the first half. Klukowski stepped to the line and put it away for his third penalty kick goal this year.

The Bobcats controlled the offense in the first period, posting 11 shots to CCSU's two. Many of the Quinnipiac shots were off target, as junior goalkeeper Paul Armstrong only had to make two saves for Central in the opening half.

Pereira returned the favor to Brito in the second half, feeding him in their offensive end in the 58th minute. Brito made a move to the top of the box and scored the game-winning goal to the right corner of the net. With 15 minutes remaining Brito added the insurance when he scored again off an assist from Adams. The goal marked hist NEC leading 14th of the season.

CCSU ended with a slight 18-17 edge in shots, but Quinnipiac recorded four corner kicks to the Blue Devils' zero. Armstrong finished with five saves for the game.

The Blue Devils are now 6-6-2 on the season and will continue their road trip against St. Francis (PA) on Friday October 31 at 2:30 p.m. Quinnipiac improves to 8-4-2 and will next be traveling to Robert Morris for a 3:00 p.m. game on Friday October 31.