Box Score MAHWAH, N.J. – The Ramapo College men's soccer team outshot Eastern Connecticut State University, 22-7, and got a second-half goal and assist from sophomore Ryan Campbell to halt an eight-match winless streak at the hands of the Warriors with a 2-1 non-conference victory Sunday afternoon at the Athletic Center Turf Field.
Although Eastern (0-2-0) was not able to generate consistent offense, the Warriors' late first-half goal from sophomore Justin Grant (Cromwell) stood up until Ramapo (2-0-0) tied the match nine minutes into the second half and scored what proved to be the game-winner with six minutes left. The Warriors were limited to just three shots in the second half, the final one coming by junior JD Stearns (Bolton) off a throw-in from senior Gavin Neuendorf (Norwich) that Rampo junior keeper Ryan Sprague covered as the final horn sounded.
Ramapo's winning goal was set up on a perfect through-ball from senior Nick Brancato to Campbell streaking down the left wing. With a 2-on-1 advantage, Campbell centered the ball in stride to 6-foot-5 freshman Joe Fala, who tucked it inside the right post for his first career goal.
Grant's first goal of the season came on a header following a corner kick by junior Alexander Fazzino (Bolton) which Sprague could not control after getting his hands on it. Campbell, who led the Roadrunners with 11 goals in 2015, pulled his team even in the 55th minute when he found room at the top of the box and ripped a cross pass from sophomore teammate Trevor Albrecht inside the left post. Eastern sophomore keeper Ryan Murphy (Cromwell) was partially screened on the shot and managed to get a hand on it as he dove to his right, but could not knock it wide.
Several of the eight saves by Murphy were outstanding. He also got help from freshman Dimi Dalardha (Hampton), who cleared a Ramapo shot off the line with a minute left in the first half that preserved Eastern's one-goal lead. Murphy's final save on a header by Fala – a dive to his right -- with under four minutes left kept the deficit at one goal.
After losing eight of the first nine in this series with Ramapo, the Warriors had brought an eight-match unbeaten (6-0-2) streak against the Roadrunners into Sunday's contest, including last season's 4-0 shutout at Thomas Nevers Field.
Eastern opens its home season Tuesday against Wesleyan University at 4 p.m.
