Box Score
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Southern Connecticut State University men's soccer team claimed its third victory in a row, when the squad defeated C.W. Post, 3-0 on Saturday night at Jess Dow Field. The Owls have now score three goals in each of their last three contests and improved to 3-1 on the season. With the loss, the Pioneers dropped to 1-2 early on in their 2009 campaign.
The action picked up quickly in the first half, as C.W. Post put loads of pressure on the SCSU backline. Junior
Chris Rybacki (Putnam, Conn.) was called upon just three minutes into play when a Pioneer cross found the left foot of midfielder Kevin McPhillips. His blast sailed towards the top corner of the goal, but was denied by the outstretched diving effort of Rybacki.
After another great save some five minutes later, Southern's intensity seemed to pick up. In the 22nd minute, sophomore
Jeremy Tavares (Waterbury, Conn.) nearly broke the deadlock. Tavares found the ball at his feet inside the 18-yard box, however had his shot denied by Pioneer goalkeeper, Shane Flanagan.
In the 36th minute, the Owls did manage to grasp a 1-0 lead. Freshman
Seth Ragaini (Seymour, Conn.) played a ball over the top of the Pioneer defense to the speedy
Victor Hernandez (Rye Brook, N.Y.). Hernandez lofted a shot over the head of Flanagan into the net for his third goal of the season. The Owls maintained the 1-0 advantage heading into the locker rooms.
Desperate to find the equalizer, C.W. Post picked up the pace in the second half. The game became very physical and tempers began to flare. In the 61st minute, captain
Paul Templeton (Saltcoats, Scotland) quieted the Pioneer fans with his second goal of the season. Templeton extended the margin to two when he capitalized on a C.W. Post defensive mistake.
In the 82nd minute, Hernandez was taken down from behind in the penalty area. Templeton buried the penalty kick leading the Owls to a 3-0 shutout.
Rybacki posted six saves in his first clean sheet of the season, while Flanagan stopped four shots in the losing effort.
The Owls are back in action on Sept. 8 against non-conference opponent, Molloy College. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Rockville Centre, N.Y.
