Box Score NEW LONDON, Conn.— In the midst of one of its finest seasons since the mid-1990s, the Connecticut College men's soccer team won its first match this season over a ranked team, scoring the only goal of the match eight minutes into the second half in a 1-0 non-conference victory over Eastern Connecticut State University Wednesday afternoon at Freeman Field.
Ranked fourth in New England, Eastern (9-2-1) was shut out for the first time this season and lost by a 1-0 score to Conn College (7-2-1) for the fourth time in seven years. Conn junior Austin DaCunha collected three of his four saves in the second half as the Camels extended their unbeaten streak to six matches (5-0-1).
The Camels out-shot the Warriors 10 to 2 in the opening half but neither side could get on the board, but in the 54th minute of action, freshmen Chris Lockwood and Mark Leon worked together to put the hosts on top for good.
Leon dribbled into the right side of the box and made a nice drop pass for Lockwood, who hooked a 10-yard blast inside the far post. It was Lockwood's third goal of the season and Leon's team leading 12th point of the year. With 9:40 to play, the Warriors nearly tied the game up with a set piece. Sophomore Xavier Doran (Hebron) buried a low header into the grass surface with some velocity behind it but DaCunha was able to make a diving stab to protect the one goal lead.
DaCunha made four saves for his sixth win while Eastern freshman Ryan Murphy (Cromwell) stopped four shots.
Eastern visits the defending Little East Conference champion University of Massachusetts Boston Saturday at 5 p.m. at Boston College High School. The Beacons are ranked third in New England, 23rd in Division III.
