Eastern Connecticut State University

KEENE, N.H. -- It was an all-around physical match for Eastern Connecticut State University Men's Soccer, as it tends to be against Keene State College, as the Warriors opened up conference play with a 1-0 victory over the Owls in Saturday afternoon's matchup, behind a late goal in the 85th minute by sophomore midfielder Christian Moura.

For Moura, the goal was his second game-winning goal in the last three matches, netting the decider against Farmingdale State University on the road last weekend, while being his third overall this year. Just as impressive was senior midfielder Sebastian Kadlof, who put together a three-assist week across the two matches the Warriors played, helping Moura score that 85th-minute goal in today's win. 

On paper, it was a match that heavily favored the Owls in terms of offense as the home team manufactured 20 shots against junior goalkeeper Jack Harmon and the Warriors' defense, seven of which were stopped by the New Jersey native in his third win of the season. This week alone, Harmon has 13 saves, earning his first solo shutout of the year today, while also landing on ESPN Top 10 Plays on Thursday for his kick save against U.S. Coast Guard Academy. In five appearances so far this year, Harmon has yet to allow a goal, holding a 3-0-0 record with 25 saves in just under 300 minutes of action.

Despite a gaudy 12-3 margin in the shots column in the first half for the Owls, which included four saves from Harmon, and a 5-0 advantage in corners, the Warriors would respond with a more even second half in which Keene State held only an 8-6 edge in shots and a 3-2 lead in shots on goal. Eastern also held the Owl offense to no corner kicks in the second half while earning three of their own, before Moura's late goal ended up being the deciding factor in the match.

In all, a total of 21 combined fouls were issued along with nine combined yellow cards, which saw five awarded to Keene State and four to Eastern. For the Warriors, it was their first road win against the Owls since the 2022 season, which was a 3-2 victory, and their second consecutive win against them overall, as they push their win streak this season to three consecutive matches. 

Off to its best start since the 2019 season, the Warriors head on the road to take on the University of Hartford on Tuesday at 6:00 PM. Renewing the in-state rivalry three years ago, Eastern is 1-1-1 in those three matchups, while being 4-6-1 since the all-time series began back in 1980.