Box Score NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – The Sacred Heart men's soccer team moved to 0-2 in the Northeast Conference Sunday, falling 1-0 at Central Connecticut. Keir Hannity's penalty kick in the 79th minute proved to be the difference.
Sacred Heart (0-11-1, 0-2 NEC) came close to getting on the board twice in the first 11 minutes. Dylan Santos (Rahway, N.J.) hit the crossbar in the ninth minute, with Ermir Celaj (Brookfield, Conn.) putting a shot right at Central Connecticut goalkeeper Josef Abele two minutes later. The Blue Devils first shot came in the 17th minute when Tucker Hackett (Madison, Conn.) kept a shot from Zach Zurita out of the goal. Sacred Heart outshot Central Connecticut 6-3 in the first half, but neither team scored heading into the second half.
Celaj opened the second half with another shot on goal, with Abele equal to the task by making a save in the 49th minute. Hackett also did his part to keep the game 0-0, making a save on a Ryan Taylor shot five minutes later. In the 64th minute, Central Connecticut once again threatened to score but Hackett stopped the attack with a save on a Filosmar Cordeiro shot. The Blue Devils had their best chance to score in the 79th minute, drawing a penalty kick. Hannity stepped up to the spot and hit a low roller past Hackett to give Central Connecticut the 1-0 advantage. Shaquille Saunchez (Kingston, Jamaica) came close to tying the game for the Pioneers, but Abele stopped his opportunity to equalize in the 81st minute. The Blue Devils were able to run out the clock and hang on for the 1-0 win.
Central Connecticut (5-6, 1-1 NEC) outshot Sacred Heart 11-9, including an 8-3 edge in the second half. Hackett made four saves for the Pioneers as Abele stopped three shots for the Blue Devils.
Sacred Heart returns to Campus Field on Saturday, Oct. 18 for a 1 p.m. showdown with Bryant.
