WEST HAVEN, Conn. — The New Haven men's soccer team secured a 2-0 victory over Quinnipiac on Wednesday, marking its first home win of the year. The Chargers were led by
Pol Bota Gutierrez (West Haven, Conn./Verduna Girona) and
Luke Fiscella (New Fairfield, Conn./New Fairfield) netting their first goals of the year.
Garrett Smith (Gorham, Maine/Bridgton Academy) was also big making five saves to capture his first New Haven clean sheet.
New Haven held Quinnipiac scoreless in the first half, with
Garrett Smith (Gorham, Maine/Bridgton Academy) making three saves.
Aiden Williams-McCracken (West Stockbridge, Mass./South Kent) recorded the team's first shot in the fifth minute, followed by an attempt from
Ali Taleb (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury). Williams-McCracken then put a shot on frame that was saved in the 17th minute.
Richard Henry (Minard Hill, St. Ann, Jamaica/Edwin Allen) added another shot on goal in the 25th minute. Quinnipiac tested Smith three times after the 21st minute, including saves in the 33rd and 45th minutes. The half ended 0-0 after a physical stretch that included yellow cards for
Valerio Del Mastro (Rome, Italy/Istituto Cellini) and
Bakir Omercevic (Utica, N.Y./Thomas R. Proctor).
The Chargers broke through in the 65th minute when
Pol Bota Gutierrez (West Haven, Conn./Verduna Girona) scored off a
Gage Estep (Birmingham, Ala./Homewood) assist.
Luke Fiscella (New Fairfield, Conn./New Fairfield) added to the lead, finishing a Taleb setup at 71:30. Earlier, New Haven pushed for the opener with saved shots from
Andres Lazo (Montville, N.J./Montville) and Fiscella before Bota's goal. Smith helped protect the advantage with saves on William Holum and Andrew Monteserin, while New Haven also defended multiple Quinnipiac corner kicks after gaining a two-goal lead. The half grew physical late, but the Chargers added chances from Fiscella and
Kai Herd (Newcastle, Australia/St. Phillip's Christian College Newcastle) before securing the 2-0 final.
Bota Gutierrez scored the game-winning goal on his only shot attempt. Fiscella added a goal and led New Haven with three shots, including two on goal. Smith made five saves over 90 minutes and finished with a shutout. Estep recorded an assist for one point.
Up next, the Chargers will travel to Durham, N.H., to face the University of New Hampshire on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
