MANSFIELD, CT -- After a dominant victory against Pratt Institute on Sunday, Eastern Connecticut State University men's soccer (6-5-0) looked to continue their winning ways during the second match of a three-game homestand at Thomas Nevers Field against Connecticut College (7-2-0). Coming into the game, the Camels were ranked third in the New England Region 1 and their offensive prowess was on display early en route to a 2-0 road win.
 
    Early on, the Warrior backfield of first-year defenders Alexander Voigt (Miami, FL) and Ryan Toomey (Willington) along with juniors Jared Caroline (South Windsor) and Larson Richards (Mansfield) helped keep Connecticut College off the scoreboard. In the first minute, the Camels looked to set the tone when midfielder Lorenzo Bocchetti fired on goal but was turned away by first-year goalkeeper Nathan Yeich (Willington) who started in net for Eastern. In the early part of the 10^th minute, Connecticut College would try to take a 1-0 advantage again but shots by junior defender Steve Yeonas and junior midfielder Augie Djerdjaj were blocked by the Warrior defense. Less than 40 seconds later, first-year forward Oury Diane would fire high over the goal to give the Camels four shots in less than 11 minutes, but nothing to show for it on the scoreboard.
 
    The back and forth battle between the in-state opponents continued with neither team having an opportunity to put the ball on goal until the 30:57 mark of the first half. That was when the Camels made their rush down the right side of the field and Ryan Toomey was called for a foul inside the box. The foul led to a penalty kick which was taken by Djerdjaj who placed it into the high left side of the goal as Yeich dove to his right to give Connecticut College the 1-0 edge.
 
    However, Eastern would look to respond quickly as senior forward David Noel (Armonk, NY) sprinted down the left side of the offensive zone and cut towards the box. Noel would look for a cross pass to the middle of the goal, but the pressure from the Camels' defense prevented any Warrior player from getting a touch on it.
 
    Connecticut College would add to their lead before the first half ended when sophomore forward Jake Creus found sophomore midfielder Rye Jaren on a cross pass to the front of the net which was sent into the back of the net to put the Camels ahead 2-0 going into the half. The Warriors were outshot 7-0 (3-0 in shots on goal) in the first half as a few offensive chances were shut down by the Connecticut College defense.
 
    Eastern would continue to battle in the second half as they held the Camels to just one shot on goal over the course of the final 45 minutes of play. The most threatening opportunity for Connecticut College to extend their lead came in the 50^th minute when sophomore forward Matt Scoffone sent a ball curving high and wide of the goal mouth and a leaping Yeich.
 
    The Warriors had a chance to cut into the deficit in the 73^rd minute when Richards took a free kick from outside of the box. The hard shot went off the three Camel defenders in front of him and was cleared out before Eastern had a chance to apply anymore offensive pressure.
 
    Yeich would finish the game having faced four shots, making two saves, and playing 81:25 in the match. He would be relieved by senior defender Max Carlson (Manchester) in net for the final 8:35 of play. The relief appearance was the second time in which Carlson has taken over goaltending duties during his four-year career at Eastern.
 
    First-year forward Grady Kelly (Granby) and sophomore midfielder Eric Kingue (Vernon) each made their first career starts in a Warrior uniform.
 
    The Warriors look to get back in the win column on Saturday, October 9^th in their final match of the three-game homestand when they face Castleton University at 1:00 PM in a Little East Conference matchup at Thomas Nevers Field. Eastern is 7-0 all-time against the Spartans, winning their last matchup 3-0 in April up in Vermont.