WATERVILLE, Maine – Marco Perugini (Medway, Mass.) scored twice in the final 15 minutes and the Connecticut College men's soccer team rallied for a 2-1 win over host Colby on Sunday afternoon from Mark Serdjenian Field.
Conn had a first start, nearly opening the scoring in the seventh minute, but Max Weiss (Weston, Conn.) struck the right post. Colby answered six minutes later with their first chance on goal, but Casey Shea (Haworth, N.J.) came up with the save on Anthony Bugliari.
The Camels remained on the front foot during the opening 45 minutes, and another good look to take the lead, as Conn forced a turnover at the edge of the Mules box, but Perugini's effort was blocked. The Camels had two more chances blocked over the final minutes as the game remained scoreless.
Colby opened the scoring just 16 seconds into the second half. The Mules earned a free kick near the far sideline that was played into the box. The ball bounced around and fell to the feet of Charlie Scott who fired home to put the Mules in front 1-0.
Colby forced two more saves from Shea over the next 15 minutes before Conn started to up the pressure. Weiss had a good chance to even the score in the 64th minute, but he was denied by Jackson Magee. With just under 15 minutes remaining, Perugini played a through ball into the box where Devin Kellan (Greenwich, Conn.) was shoved in the back, as the Camels were awarded a penalty kick.
Perugini stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted the ball home to even the score at one. Conn remained on the front foot looking for the go-ahead goal, and the Camels got it at 82:14. Weiss delivered a cross into the box, connecting with the head of Perugini, who headed home to put Conn in front.
The Mules tried to respond in the dying minutes and nearly found an equalizer themselves with their final chance. Jude Gussen fired a shot that was headed towards the top corner, but Shea got his hands to it to deflect it away and give Conn the 2-1 win.
Conn outshot Colby 15-13, holding a 4-3 advantage on corner kicks, while the Mules held a slim 5-4 edge on shots on goal.
Shea picked up the win in net, finishing with four saves. Perugini paced the Conn attack, tallying both goals, while Weiss chipped in with an assist.
Magee got the start in goal, recording two saves. Scott led the Mules, tallying the lone goal for Colby.
Conn (4-1-1, 2-1-1 NESCAC) returns home on Saturday as the Camels will host their first conference game of the campaign against Hamilton at 2:00 p.m. on Freeman Field.
