Box Score

WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Junior #Jean Carlos Rafael (Lima, Peru / Wilbur Cross (Conn.)) and sophomore (Curitiba, Brazil/Bethel (Conn.))Joseph D’Antonio# each tallied a goal on Sunday afternoon, as the University of New Haven men’ s soccer team defeated Molloy College by the final score of 2-1 at Kayo Field. With the win, the Chargers improved to 3-4-1 on the season while the Lions dropped to 1-5 for the campaign.

The first half of action featured a very physical game that accumulated 16 total fouls. The Chargers’ backline played well keeping the visiting Lions off the scoreboard, however offensively couldn’t break through either. New Haven’s best chance came midway through the stanza when D’Antonio went down the right side of the pitch and whipped in a cross to the penalty area. Steven Gennuso (Middletown, Conn./Xavier ) dashed to the penalty area and nearly connected for the game’s first goal. At the end of 45 minutes, the two teams went into the locker rooms tied at 1-1.

After the intermission, Jean Carlos Rafael and Nick Pezzente (Old Saybrook, Conn./Home School) generated the go-ahead goal just 10 minutes into second half. Pezzente beat the left defender and carried the ball down the right side of the field. Jean Carlos Rafael kept pace in the middle of the pitch, received the ball from Pezzente and blasted a shot towards net. The keeper saved the attempt but alertly Rafael followed his shot and tapped in the rebound for a 1-0 lead. Rafael picked up his second goal of the season on the play.

New Haven continued to pressure the Lions’ defense, creating several chances. In the 78th minute, D’Antonio took advantage of an opportunity and registered his second goal of the campaign. The Chargers’ defense retrieved the ball in their end and began a counterattack with a quick outlet pass. D’Antonio received the ball close to half field and carried the ball past the back right defender towards goal. He arrived to the 18-yard box, drew the keeper out and slipped a shot underneath the goalie for what proved to be the game-winner.

With 13 seconds left in the game, Molloy capitalized on a free kick just outside the 18-yard box to cut its deficit in half. However, goalkeeper #J.J. Comeau# and the Chargers closed out the waning seconds for their third win of the season. Comeau recorded three saves in his first win of the season.

New Haven returns to action on Wednesday, September 29th when they travel to Springfield, Mass. for a game against American International. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.