(10-06-07)
Box Score
WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Senior forward Tyler Smith (photo) scored his first goal of the season late in the first half, and it later proved to be the game winner as the University of New Haven downed St. Thomas Aquinas College 2-0 in an East Coast Conference men's soccer match at Kayo Field on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, UNH (4-7-0, 3-3-0 ECC) has now registered two consecutive East Coast Conference victories. Securing the win in the 77th minute was junior Jessey Fernandez, who netted the Chargers' second goal of the match. It was Fernandez’s team-leading fifth goal of the season.
On the first goal, UNH crossed the ball in from the right corner to Nick Pezzente, who was able to find Smith. Smith pounced to head the ball past goalkeeper William Diano from six yards out.
Following the first goal of the match, both teams alternated chances on both sides of the field until the Chargers finally broke through with 13 minutes remaining. After a corner kick the ball deflected out to Matt Sarrazin at the edge of the penalty box. Sarrazin was able to find the feet of Fernandez who volleyed to the lower right corner to secure the match for UNH.
STAC, which falls to 5-8-0 overall and 1-4-0 in the ECC, did hold the advantage in shots 18-14, but could not find an answer for UNH goalkeeper James Hilaire. He finished the afternoon with five saves and combined with Kevin Gargan for the shutout for the Chargers.
The Chargers are in action again at Kayo Field on Sunday afternoon when they host non-conference opponent Felician College at 2:00 p.m.
