Bulldogs Fall In Home Opener
NEW HAVEN, Conn. –Central Connecticut didn't look
like a team that had been struggling to score goals Wednesday night
against Yale. Terrell Whiting scored twice and added an assist to
lead the Blue Devils to a 3-0 victory and spoil the Bulldogs'
home opener in newly renovated Reese Stadium.
"Give credit where it's due. Central played very
well," said Yale head coach Brian Tompkins. "Their
passing was really strong and we had a tough time closing them
down."
Yale, on the other hand, continues to be snakebit. The Bulldogs
(0-5) had a good amount of possession time but had two of their
better scoring opportunities bang off the post.
"We're not catching any breaks," Tompkins
said. "I was pleased with our effort and our determination to
get back in the game. We'll persevere. There are too many
good signs to be discouraged."
The Blue Devils (2-2) got on the board midway through the first
half. Whitting slid a pass across the box to Joel Diamand, who
drilled it into the lower right corner at 26:01.
Central Connecticut took advantage of a turnover in the midfield
to tally its second goal. Robert Cavener sent a long ball forward
to Whiting, who raced past the Yale defense and slid a shot into
the net at 51:26.
Cavener also set up the Blue Devils' third goal. This one
came off a corner kick. Cavener sent a short ball to Whiting, who
blasted a shot into the near corner from 20 yards out at 76:02.
"In the second half, we tried to fight our way back, but
we got caught a couple of times," Tompkins said.
"We're a young team and there are going to be times
when it shows."
Yale's best chances came in a two-minute stretch late in
the second half. Milan Tica left-footed a shot from 20 yards out
that banged off the near post. Chris Dennen then headed a Tica free
kick off the far post.
Central finished with a 12-9 advantage in shots, but Yale had a
6-5 edge in corner kicks.
Bobby Thalman made one save in goal for the Bulldogs. Anthony
Occhialini played the first 83 minutes in goal for the Blue Devils
and stopped three shots.
Yale is back in action on Saturday night, hosting Sacred Heart.
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
Report filed by Tim Bennett, Yale Sports Publicity
