Men's Soccer Falls In See-Saw Match At New Haven, 3-2, To Open The 2019 Season

West Haven, Conn.-The University of Bridgeport men's soccer team (0-1) opened its 2019 season at the University of New Haven on Thursday night, and the host Chargers (1-0) snapped a 2-2 tie with a goal off a corner kick with just 7:17 remaining in regulation to earn a see-saw 3-2 victory.

UNH opened the scoring only 9:42 into the match when Nate Peduzzi found the back of the net.

UB would things at 1-1 just before halftime when senior Erlend Skagestad (Mjoendalen, Norway) coverted a penalty kick after a New Haven foul in the box with just 47 second to play in the opening stanza.

The Purple Knights grabbed a 2-1 lead just over 13 minutes into the second half when sophomore Oscar Facey (Trangsund, Sweden) put home a free kick.

New Haven tied the contest at 2-2 at the 63:25 mark of action when Bridgeport suffered a bit of bad luck allowing an own goal when sophomore goalkeeper Carlos Tofern (Hamburg, Germany), who five saves on the night, punched a Chargers' cross away but ball struck a teammate and bounced back across the goal line.

UNH's game-winning tally came when Zachary Almonte scored off a corner kick.

Thursday's tilt was a physical affair as a total of 37 fouls were called.

The host Chargers and the visiting Purple Knights finished even on the night in shots at 16 apiece.

New Haven keeper Stefano Lorusso had a strong match making eight saves for the winners.

Bridgeport's Leandro Avila (Panama City, Panama) led all players on the night with eight total shots, seven of which were on goal including several that were cleared off the line.

Up next, the UB men's soccer team will close of its season-opening, two-match road trip at Franklin Pierce University on Sunday afternoon.  Action is slated to begin in New Hampshire at 4:00 p.m.

After the Franklin Pierce game, UB will open its 2019 home schedule at Knights Field on Wednesday, September 11 at 6:00 p.m. against American International College.