WEST HAVEN, CONN. - The University of New Haven men's soccer team kicked off the 2022 season and 60th season in program history but came up short in a 2-1 loss in a non-conference match against in-state rival Bridgeport at Kathy Zolad Stadium on Thursday night.

The return to the pitch marked the fifth-straight year the two teams have met and ended a 292 day hiatus since the last time New Haven took the field, a 2-3 loss against American International in the NE10 Quarterfinals. on Nov. 6, 2021. 

Although New Haven would end up outshooting the visiting Purple Knights, 13-7, Bridgeport opened up the scoring first with a goal on the rebound after a diving save by sophomore goalkeeper Themis Kastoris (Gothenburg, Sweden/Kitas Gymnasiet) at the 3:05 minute mark.

With a packed house of 418 in attendance, New Haven looked to gain momentum with a tying goal before the half but a pair of shots in front of the net as time was expiring were thwarted by the Bridgeport goalkeeper and company, fending the Chargers off through the first half.

The Chargers wouldn't stay quiet for long, however, as New Haven scored their first goal of the new campaign a little over 15 minutes into the second half on a goal from sophomore midfielder Tyler Pereira (Fairhaven, Mass./Fairhaven) off an assist from Dante Polletta (Prospect, Conn./Woodland Regional).

After a tightly contested and grueling battle, the Bridgeport Purple Knights came out victorious as a late goal at the 69:56 mark from the far right snuck past the outstretched diving hands of Kastoris, giving the Purple Knights a 2-1 lead. 

Four Chargers tallied two shots in the loss, including newcomers Jonas Schmelcher (Berlin, Germany/SL2B Berlin) and Guillem Barnils (Barcelona, Spain/Escola Pia Nostrasenyora), as well as returning players Alexander Gunnarsson (Kopavogur, Iceland/Verzlenarskoli Islands) and Adam Lindstrom (Orbero, Sweden/Grillska Gymnasiet), the latter two recording a combined four shots on goal. 

Despite the loss, New Haven outshot the Purple Knights, 13-7 and 8-6 on goal while drawing more corner kicks, 7-2.

Kastoris, who totaled a conference fourth-most 64 saves last season, was credited with four in tonight's contest, three of which came in the first half of play.

New Haven, now 0-1, looks to right the ship on the road as they head to Dobbs Ferry for another non-conference matchup with the Mercy Mavericks. Opening kick for the game is set for 3:00 PM at Mercy Field on Sunday, August 28.