Box Score

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Southern Connecticut State University men's soccer team honored its three senior class members on Saturday evening and defeated the Riverhawks of UMass-Lowell, 1-0 at Jess Dow Field. During their careers at SCSU, seniors Sean O'Brien (Guilford, Conn.), Marino Crocco (North Haven, Conn.) and Patrick Carroll (Guilford, Conn.) led the men's soccer program to 46 wins, one NE-10 Championship, two trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a run to the Elite Eight in 2006.

With the win, the Owls improved to 10-3-1, 7-2-1 in Northeast-10 competition, while the Riverhawks descended to 3-10, 2-9 in the league.

Neither team was able to open the scoring column in the first half of play. The first 45 minutes featured a total of seven shots, only three of which were on target. The Owls did manage to control a 5-2 advantage in shots, but took a scoreless tie into the locker rooms.

After the intermission, Southern dominated possession early on in the second half. However it wasn't until the 83rd when the Owls' offense finally clicked. Late substitution, Matan Bik (Hamden, Conn.) dribbled up the middle of the field and fed Cedric Panzu (Mons-En-Baroeul, France) at the top of the 18-yard box. Panzu made a move to his left and blasted a shot underneath the Riverhawk goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead.

Panzu's fifth goal of the campaign proved to be the difference as the Owls collected their third win in a row.

Andrew Esposito (East Haven, Conn.) made two saves in the win for the Owls, while Matt Lavery and Ryan Richards combined for three saves for the visiting Riverhawks.

The Owls are back in action on Oct. 20 with an away match at AIC. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Springfield, Mass.