WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- The Babson College men's soccer team scored the only goal it needed 61 seconds into the second half, limiting Eastern Connecticut State University to three shots in the match in handing the Warriors their first home loss of the year, 2-0, Monday afternoon at Thomas Nevers Field.

At right: Zane Lombardo (Photo by Liam Murphy)

Babson (8-5-1) controlled the tempo and flow of the match throughout, finally getting on the board when sophomore back Andre Gonzalez headed in sophomore midfielder Tyler Carlos' corner kick in the opening minute of the second half. That margin stood until the final minutes, when sophomore midfielder Justin Laurenzo deposited a rebound past Eastern freshman keeper Greg Walton (Brunswick, ME) to add insurance.

The win is the third straight over Eastern for Babson, which ties up the six-game series with the Warriors. Eastern entered play with a 6-0 home record, allowing only one goal in those games. The loss is the first for Eastern after an 11-game unbeaten streak (8-0-3) dating back to the second match of the season.

Babson spent most of the first half in its offensive end but could not get on the board. Its best opportunity came with 16 minutes left in the half when Carlos took a feed from Laurenzo on the left side of the box and cut in before unloading a blast that Walton denied at the left post.

Ranked seventh in New England, Eastern (8-2-3) had only two shots in the first half, but probably had the best chance when sophomore reserve back Zane Lombardo (Portland) found senior forward Mitch Power (Douglas, MA) in the middle of the box with six minutes left. Power, held without a point for the first time in seven matches, unleashed a low shot as Babson senior keeper Jackson Klein was diving to his right. With Klein on the ground, the ball deflected to the left, but Klein was still able to grab it.

The Beavers came right out in the second half and produced the only goal it would need. Taking Babson's only corner kick of the half, Carlos sent a perfectly-place ball to the front of the goal, where the six-foot Gonzalez timed his leap perfectly and beat an overmatched Walton with his only shot of the match.

With just under three minutes left, Ventura collected a deflected ball in Eastern's defense, and raced untouched toward Walton. As he carried into the box, Ventura hesitated for a second, allowing Walton to station himself near the right and punch away the point-blank shot. Trailing the play, an unmarked Laurenzo was positioned on the right side of the box and cleaned up the play with a shot over the fallen Walton.

Babson outshot Eastern, 12-3, and held a 6-3 advantage in corners.

Despite absorbing his first loss since the season-opener, Walton made several remarkable saves -- his final total of five equalling his most since the second match of the season -- in keeping the Warriors within striking distance until the final minute.

Eastern hosts Rhode Island College in a Little East Conference match Saturday at 1 p.m.