WEST HAVEN, Conn. – For the first time in program history, the New Haven men's soccer team will be playing for a Northeast-10 Conference Championship after the second seeded Chargers knocked off the No. 3 and reigning national champion Franklin Pierce Ravens 1-0 on Wednesday night at Kathy Zolad Stadium. With the win, New Haven improves to 12-3-3 on the season.

After a scoreless first 45, the Chargers struck just over five minutes into the second period thanks in part to a long ball that caught much of the Ravens defense still up field and out of their defensive zone. Matia Maiello controlled the pass and pushed the ball across the 18-yard box where Oskar Kvarnback (Stockholm, Sweden/Bromma Gymnasium) one-timed his shot to the opposite corner as the Ravens keeper was still making his way across the box. The goal for Kvarnback was his first of the season.

The Ravens would go on to control the pace through much of the remaining 40 minutes keeping the Chargers defense on its toes but the backline held strong and goalkeeper Archie Watts (Bristol, England/SGS College) kept his line, making six saves in the second half. Overall for the game, Watts finished with eight saves as the Ravens outshot New Haven 13-9 for the game, including a 10-4 advantage in the second half alone.

The 2024 NE10 Championship appearance is only the third time New Haven has advanced to the postseason tournament since joining the league, while the semifinal win is just the second victory for the Blue and Gold.

The Championship game for the Blue and Gold is set for Saturday, November 16 as New Haven will head to Manchester, N.H. to take on the top seeded Southern New Hampshire Penmen with opening kickoff set for 4:00 p.m. at Mark A. Ouellette Stadium. The conference title game will air live on NE10 Now on Flo College.