WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The New Haven men's soccer team suffered a tough 2-1 loss in a non-conference matchup to Molloy on Sunday afternoon. The Chargers controlled a majority of the scoring chances, hitting the post four times and outshooting Molloy 26-11 in the game, including 13-2 in the opening half.

Sophomore JP Viruet (Seymour, Conn./Seymour) scored his first career goal early in the second half to give the Chargers the lead, before Molloy answered with a penalty kick and a breakaway goal later in the frame to earn the win. New Haven now sits 1-1 on the season, while Molloy moves to 1-0-1.

The Chargers put pressure on Molloy early, with Pedro Aparicio (Lisbon, Portugal/Liceu de São João do Estoril) sending one toward the far side and off the left post just over three minutes in. New Haven hit three posts in the opening half in addition to four shots on goal, but were unable to find the back of the net. The defense kept the Lions in check by limiting just two shots attempts, neither of which were on target.

Viruet got the Chargers rolling just 41 seconds into the second half for the 1-0 Chargers lead. A ball was played across the box, Viruet took the pass, moved around a defender on the left side of the box before sliding a shot past the keeper into the net for the Chargers one goal of the game.

Molloy netted the equalizer a few minutes later in the 52nd minute, getting a PK opportunity following a hand ball on the edge of the box.

The Chargers nearly took the lead back at the 66-minute mark when Zachary Almonte (New Hempstead, N.Y./Saint Joseph Regional) planted one off the crossbar, and Nate Peduzzi (Old Lyme, Conn./Lyme-Old Lyme) chipped the rebound just over the top. Molloy took the lead late in the 71st minute when a ball was served long from their own defensive end, across midfield to Anthony Cestaro who dribbled towards goal and buried a shot from just inside the left side the box to give the Lions the 2-1 edge.

Molloy nearly tacked on an insurance goal in the 86th minute, but junior Justin Dansereau (Billerica, Mass./Central Catholic) came out to the top of the box and knocked the ball away with a sliding save to preserve the one-goal deficit. The Chargers got six shots off over the final 17 minutes, but Molloy was able to hold off the surge to preserve their first win of the season.

The Chargers will now have over a week off before their next game, a showdown on Tuesday, Sept. 17 against Nyack at Kathy Zolad Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.