(10-21-06)
Box Score
West Haven, Conn. -- Senior Antonio Carrozza scored his first goal of the season in the first half, helping send the University of New Haven men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Post University on Senior Day at Robert B. Dodds Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Sophomore Jessey Fernandez scored for the fifth time this season in the second half, bending a corner kick to the near post and into the goal off a deflection to seal the victory for New Haven (6-10-2).
But it was Carrozza's goal that provided the home crowd the most excitement just 15:16 into the match. Head coach Matt Verni started all ten of UNH's seniors in the field, and Carrozza, playing for just the fourth time this season, took a long crossing pass from fellow senior Ajani Maillard in the box. It bounced up over the head of goalkeeper Dan Nadel, and Carrozza found himself open on the right side with a clear shot at the net - and converted for his second career score.
Post (7-6-5) trailed for the ensuing 45 minutes before converting at 60:16 of the second half. Alex Brito got his third score this season when he volleyed home a ball that had been deflected toward the goal.
In the 77th minute, Fernandez had a corner kick from the near sideline and his right-footed boot stayed on line with the goal. It deflected off the head of a Post defender and into the upper right corner of the net to seal the victory for UNH, giving Fernandez his third game-winner this season.
The game was the final home appearance in 2006 for the Chargers, who will play an East Coast Conference tournament match at either Dowling College or C.W. Post on Wednesday. Their opponent is still TBA after another ECC match scheduled for Saturday was postponed to Monday.
In addition to Carrozza and Maillard, UNH's eight other seniors provided some highlights in the contest. Most notably, Gil Arredondo executed a bicycle kick shot on goal that brought the crowd to its feet, but was saved by Post. Senior defenders Paul Bocchino, Mike Wnek, Damien Slubowski and Dave Bienia helped UNH keep their opponent to just one goal on the afternoon, and that defensive unit has held opponents to one goal or less in 13 of 18 matches this season. Luis Orduna-Sanchez, John Macary and Maurice Aboud all provided pressure up front for the Chargers, as they logged nine shots in the first half.
