NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Connecticut College men's soccer team scored three times in the second half to beat visiting Bates College 3-0 on Saturday from Freeman Field. With the win, Conn improves to 7-1-4 overall and 3-1-4 in NESCAC play, Bates falls to 6-6-1 on the year and 2-5-1 in conference action.
Both teams recorded two shots in the opening 10 minutes, with Bates putting the lone effort on target with Peter Silvester (Smiths Parish, Bermuda) making the save. Conn put their first shot on target in the 29th minute, as Rye Jaran (Downingtown, Pa.) forced a save from the Bates keeper. Neither side generated much over the final 16 minutes, as the game was scoreless at the break.
The Camels came to life in the second half, forcing three blocked shots from the Bobcat defenders in the opening 15 minutes. Off a long throw-in from Alessandro Horvath Diano (New Haven, Conn.) into the box, the ball deflected to Gavin Mpiana (Cape Town, South Africa) who's shot was blocked, before falling to Charlie Miles (Tarrytown, N.Y.) who fired home to make it 1-0 Conn at 60:16.
Just 20 seconds later, off the ensuing Bates kickoff, the Camels doubled their lead. Horvath Diano intercepted a Bobcat pass, before feeding Marco Perugini (Medway, Mass.) down the wing. Perugini put a ball into the box, connecting with Mpiana who flicked the ball past the keeper to make it 2-0. Eight and a half minutes later, Conn added a third goal, as Jaran delivered a corner kick to the back post, where Jack Lavorel (Bethesda, Md.) rose to head the ball home, making it 3-0 at 69:09. The Camels saw out the final 20 minutes, coming away with the 3-0 victory.
Conn outshot Bates 14-5 overall, including 5-1 on shots on target, while holding a 7-1 edge on corner kicks.
Silvester earned another clean sheet in goal, stopping the only shot on target. Three Camels tallied a goal, with Lavorel recording his first career goal, and Miles and Mpiana also converting, while Horvath Diano, Jaran, and Perugini all added one assist.
George Nassar got the start in goal, recording two saves on five shots. Rex Ah Chu tallied the lone shot on target for the Bobcats.
Conn returns to action on Tuesday, wrapping up non-conference play, as the Camels travel to Providence, R.I. to take on Rhode Island College at 4:00 p.m.
