(09-27-06)
Box Score
Bridgeport, Conn. -- Sophomore Jessey Fernandez scored both goals for the University of New Haven men's soccer team, including a game-clinching penalty kick that sealed a 2-1 win over the University of Bridgeport on Wednesday afternoon at Seaside Park.
Fernandez, who last year tied for the team lead with three goals, had scored just once in 10 games this season until erupting for a pair of scores in the second half on Tuesday.
At the 53:10 mark, there was a scramble in front of the goal following a shot, and the Bridgeport goalie misplayed it back into the field where Fernandez hit it home.
Then, with less than four minutes remaining in the contest, Jessey's twin brother Justin Fernandez drew a foul in the box that led to UNH being awarded a penalty kick. Jessey converted to lift UNH to 4-7 overall and 3-1 in ECC play, while Bridgeport falls to 2-6-1, 0-2.
The key win gives UNH 10 points in the league's standings, matching the team's total from all of last season when the Chargers missed out on the league's postseason tournament by just two points.
"We forced a mistake on their goalkeeper, and Jessey capitalized by taking a touch pass and ripping it off the crossbar and in," said head coach Matt Verni. "Then, Justin drew the penalty kick, and his twin brother banged it in there for the win. And it was a great win, three points on the road against a big rival. This was a playoff type of game, the games mean that much in the standings."
This was the second ECC victory for UNH this week, following a 1-0 home win against Molloy on Saturday. The team continues league play at home on Tuesday, October 3, when they host New York Tech at 4:00 p.m.
