Box Score
WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Sophomore Joseph D’Antonio scored two goals to lead the University of New Haven men’s soccer team over UMass-Lowell and into the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament on Friday afternoon. Facing a 1-0 deficit after 45 minutes of play, the Chargers responded with three goals in the second half, solidifying a 3-1 victory on Senior Day at Kayo Field.
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With the win, UNH concludes the regular season with an overall mark of 7-9-1 and 6-7 in NE-10 competition. Currently in sixth place, the Chargers will wait and see how the rest of the conference unfolds. The trip to the playoffs is the Chargers first post-season appearance since 2006.
The visiting Riverhawks raced out of the gates in this one, recording the game’s first goal midway through the first half. UMass-Lowell captured a fortunate break on a shot that deflected off a UNH defender and into the net for a 1-0 lead. The two clubs struggled to generate anymore offense, leaving a 1-0 advantage for the away team at halftime.
After the break, New Haven opened and sustained much better play in the second half. Less than five minutes into the second frame, D’Antonio collected the equalizer, knotting the game up at 1-1. D’Antonio received the ball at the top of the 18 yard box and lofted a shot over the outstretched arms of the opposing goalkeeper to the upper right corner. The goal was his third tally of the campaign.
The Chargers wasted little time finding the go-ahead goal, as Gui Dos Santos scored what proved to be the game-winning goal. Dos Santos carried the ball down the right side and ripped a shot past the keeper for a 2-1 advantage. Dos Santos recorded his team-leading fifth goal of the season on the play.
New Haven defended well in the remaining 30 minutes of play, which actually led to the Chargers final goal. J.J. Comeau made a spectacular save and proceeded to punt the ball 80 yards to a sprinting D’Antonio. He collected the ball, took a few touches and slipped an insurance goal into the net to conclude the scoring summary and a 3-1 triumph.
Comeau finished the game with three saves and picked up his fourth win of the season. He also lowered his goals against average to a microscopic 0.74 goals per game.
New Haven returns to action on Tuesday, November 2 with the opening round of the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament. The time and place have yet to be determined. Check back to www.NewHavenChargers.com for up-to-date schedules and results.
