Men's Soccer Drops 1-0 Decision to New Hampshire at UNH Nike Fall Classic

The Central Connecticut men's soccer team fell to 1-1 overall this season following a 1-0 loss to New Hamshire at the UNH Nike Fall Classic on Monday. Central finished 1-1 at the tournament, after beating Vermont 1-0 on Saturday in the first game. Senior Robert Cavener and freshmen defenders Richie Slaughter and Ian Smurthwaite were all named to the All-Tournament Team. Central is back in action at Hartford on Saturday night at 7 p.m.

Sophomore goalkeeper Anthony Occhialini made six saves in net for the Blue Devils, who were outshot 18-9 in the match. New Hampshire's Colin O'Donnell had seven stops in goal to record the shutout.

The Wildcats scored the only goal of the match in the first half. Robert Palumbo fed Steven Palumbo whose shot sailed past Occhialini to the far post and into the left side of the net. It came at 34:16 and gave the home team the victory.

New Hampshire held a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks in the match. They finished the weekend tournament 1-0-1 after a 0-0 tie against Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Saturday. Central was 1-1 after a 1-0 win over Vermont on Saturday in the first match of the tournament.

Cavener and the two freshmen defenders, Slaughter and Smurthwaite, were named to the All-Tournament Team for their performances in the two games. Central allowed just one goal in the two matches, and posted its first shutout in nearly a year on Saturday.

The Blue Devils return to action on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the University of Hartford.