Box Score MANSFIELD, Conn. -- Junior forward Matt Furman (Montville) recorded his 50th career point with bookend goals as the Eastern Connecticut State University men's soccer team opened its 2011 home season with a 4-0 non-conference victory over Fitchburg State University Wednesday night at the Mansfield Outdoor Complex.
Ranked No. 9 in the first NSCAA New England rankings, released Tuesday, Eastern (2-0-1) outshot Fitchburg 19-5, including 15-2 in the first half when it posted a 2-0 halftime advantage.
The win is the eighth straight for Eastern over Fitchburg. In five victories under current head coach Greg DeVito, the Warriors have surrendered only one goal to the Falcons.
Sophomore back Mike Radlbeck (Westbrook) sprung Furman for the first goal of the match less than two minutes into the competition, and Furman later closed out the scoring with the 18th goal of his 39-match career and 49th and 50th points on assists from senior midfielder Matt Esposito (East Haven) and junior forward Cory Tobler (Portland).
Sophomore midfielder Kyle Surprenant (Coventry) was credited with his first career goal when a Fitchburg defender deflected Surprenant'hard serve into the box past Fitchburg k freshman keeper Aidan Hanratty (East Bridgewater, MA) and inside the near post midway through the half.
Despite Eastern's significant advantage in shots, the Warriors did not break through again until Esposito one-timed Tober's end-line pass past Hanratty from six yards nine minutes into the second half to make it 3-0.
Senior keeper Carl Appel (West Windsor, NJ) and junior Jordan Munsell (Waterford) needed only one save apiece to register the combined shutout in net – Eastern's second shutout in three outings this year.
All 25 players saw turf time for the Warriors. Sophomore Dan Eisenmann (Burlington) and freshmen Trevor Ouellet (Chaplin) and Nicholas Demo (Brookfield) saw their first action in an Eastern uniform while senior Matt Kalmin (Burlington), Munsell, and injured Luke Capezzone (Colchester) made their 2011 debut
At this past weekend's Lotto Tournament at Canton, NY, Eastern blanked Clarkson University, 3-0, before losing 1-0 to host St. Lawrence University. Ranked No. 22 nationally in the pre-season, St. Lawrence vaulted to No. 5 in Tuesday's national poll after its two tournament wins.
Eastern hosts Ramapo College of New Jersey Saturday at 2 p.m. at Thomas Nevers Field.
