(09-23-06)
Box Score
West Haven, Conn. -- The University of New Haven men's soccer team controlled play throughout most of the game, and their patience finally paid off with a goal in the 63rd minute. Ajani Maillard (photo) headed home his second goal of the season off a free kick crossing pass by Paul Bocchino, and the UNH defense tightened up for the remainder of the contest to seal a 1-0 East Coast Conference win over Molloy College on Saturday afternoon at Robert B. Dodds Stadium.
New Haven (3-7) improved to 2-1 in ECC play with the victory, keeping them near the top of the league standings as they enter a crucial stretch of games. Saturday's win was the first of four straight ECC games that will help determine their postseason hopes. The loss sent Molloy to 3-3-2 overall and 1-1 in the league.
The teams played to a scoreless draw after one half of play, despite the fact that the Chargers kept the ball in the offensive zone a majority of the time and out-shot Molloy, 15-3. UNH had some nice chances in the first half of play, including a header by Tyler Smith that went right at the Molloy keeper. With 11:26 remaining in the first half, Justin Fernandez had a breakaway along the right side, and pushed the ball past Lions goalkeeper Ettore Morelli. Fernandez leapt over the diving Morelli, but was unable to catch up with the ball as it went inches wide of the goal post.
UNH kept pressing the action early in the second half as they tried to capitalize on their opportunities, seeking to end a scoreless drought that dated back three matches. Smith had a shot that lofted just over the crossbar, and Damien Slubowski had a shot from close range that was deflected by a Molloy defender and out of bounds.
Finally, the offensive effort paid off for the Chargers when Maillard, who led the team in scoring a year ago, put in his second goal of this season at 63:32. He leaned forward along the right side of the box to head in the cross from Bocchino, and Morelli could not make a diving save going to his left. Maillard had a nice opportunity to score again with just 3:16, but his breakaway shot went right at Morelli for the save.
Molloy pressed forward to try to tie the contest late, and logged eight shots in all during the second half. But the UNH defense stiffened to preserve the shutout for James Hilaire, who made three saves.
The Chargers return to East Coast Conference action on Wednesday, September 27 when they travel to University of Bridgeport at 3:00 p.m.
