(10-28-07)
Box Score
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. -- Junior John Nolan (photo) had a goal and an assist to help power the University of New Haven men's soccer team to a season-ending 2-1 victory over East Coast Conference foe C.W. Post on Sunday afternoon.
Nolan put home his third goal of the season just 1:48 into the contest and later assisted on Jessey Fernandez's seventh goal of the season in the 30th minute to help lift UNH to 6-10-1 overall and 4-4-1 in the ECC.
It was the Chargers' final match of the season, lifting them into a tie for fourth place in the league's standings. UNH was previously eliminated from postseason consideration because they lost head-to-head tiebreakers with two teams that could also finish tied for fourth.
Nolan's goal at 1:48 was a flick shot from about five yards away. He then crossed a ball which was headed into the goal from close range by Fernandez at the 29:43 mark in the first half. In a chippy game that saw the teams combine for eight cards - including two red cards - the Chargers were forced to play a man down for the final 50:55.
C.W. Post (5-10-2, 3-6-0 ECC) was able to capitalize with exactly 10 minutes remaining on the clock when Dan Carlos found Michael LoManto for a 25-yard goal into the right corner.
But UNH held off the Pioneers' attack for the final ninth of the match to secure the win. Charger goalkeeper James Hilaire made eight saves to pick up the victory.
After losing their first four matches of the season, the Chargers played exactly .500 ball for the rest of the year - going 6-6-1 during that 13-match stretch. Included among the highlights was the first goal scored against Southern Connecticut State in over 20 years, a 2-1 win over then-No. 23 Bridgeport in ECC play, and a scoreless draw with 7th-ranked and defending national champions Dowling College.
