WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven men's soccer team dropped its season opening match 2-1 in double overtime to Dowling College Thursday afternoon at Kayo Field. Dowling also opened its season with the victory.

Leading for nearly 80 minutes during regulation, the Chargers netted their first goal of the 2014 campaign in the ninth minute when Andres Torres (Medellín, Colombia/Norwalk (Conn.) / Adelphi University) buried a through pass from Louis Greenway Tambini (Nottingham, England/Trinity School). New Haven controlled possession for nearly the entire first half, pressing for a second opportunity on net. During the stretch, UNH attempted three more shots, but none on frame.

The Golden Lions took the field in the second half and controlled play from the onset. New Haven's defense faced 14 second-half shots by Dowling, while goalkeeper James Pyatsky (Stewart Manor, N.Y./Garden City) turned away five in the second stanza. The game-tying goal was scored in the 88th minute when Keith Vigorito put his head on the end of a Raffaele Sorbara throw-in for inside the six-yard box.

After a scoreless first overtime period, the game headed to golden-goal double overtime where Kevin Diaz gave Dowling the victory in the 103rd minute. Diaz found himself on the end of a Sorbara throw-in and Vigorito header to clinch the season-opening victory for the Golden Lions.

Pyatsky totaled eight saves in the loss. The Chargers were out-shot 21-6 in the game and Dowling attempted seven more corners (9-2). Dowling's Chris Friedl made one save in goal for Dowling.

New Haven continues its season on the road at Holy Family for another non-conference match against the Tigers on Sunday, September 7. Game time in Philadelphia, Pa. is set for 2:30 p.m.