Men's Soccer Frustrated By New Haven In 2023 Season Opener

Bridgeport, Conn.-It was a frustrating 2023 season opener for the University of Bridgeport men's soccer team on Thursday evening at Knights Field, as the Purple Knights grabbed a 1-0 lead 34:36 into the first half and dominated the run of play for most of the match, but the visiting University of New Haven Chargers (1-0) got a pair of second half goals from Adam Lindstrom on a penalty kick in the 51st minute and a back-heel tap in off a goalmouth scramble in the 73rd minute to defeat UB, 2-1.

Bridgeport outshout the visitors, 15-4, on the night and held an 9-4 advantage in corner kicks but could only find the back of the net once as New Haven goalkeeper Gianluca Cersosimo made a total of eight saves in the match.

The Purple Knights lone goal on the evening came from sophomore Maximilian Kissel (Wiesbaden, Germany), last season's CACC Rookie of the Year, who found the back of the net off a cross from reigning conference Player of the Year, junior Lucas Sousa (Campinas, Brazil) off a corner kick.

Thursday's season opener was a physical contest with both teams combing for a total of 50 fouls and eight yellow cards.

The UB men's soccer team will look to pick up its first win of the season on Sunday evening, as the Purple Knights open this season's road schedule with another local rival, the Owls of Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.  Game time in the Elm City is set for 6:00 p.m.  Bridgeport will be back at Knights Field next Wednesday, September 6th, when the Raven of Franklin Pierce University come to town for a 6:00 p.m. non-conference clash.