NEW LONDON, Conn. – Jayden Fokuo (Chicago, Ill.) scored his first career goal and the No. 9 Connecticut College men's soccer team defeated visiting Emerson College 1-0 on Tuesday afternoon from Silfen Field.
Conn dominated the opening 45 minutes, out shooting Emerson 3-0 on shots on target. Marco Perugini (Medway, Mass.) recorded the first shot of the afternoon, forcing a save from Lasse Bartsh-Erforth in the fifth minute.
Perugini had another look at goal in the 34th minute, but again was stopped by Bartsh-Erforth. The Camels came closest to opening the scoring in the final minute, as Devin Kellan (Greenwich, Conn.) let a shot go, but Bartsh-Erforth was able to put a fingertip on it to push it over the crossbar, to keep the game scoreless at the break.
Conn had a good look seven minutes into the second half, as Dylan Hoke (Westport, Conn.) let a long range effort fly, but was again turned aside. Just two minutes later, Emerson put their first shot on target of the contest, but Casey Shea (Haworth, N.J.) answered with the save.
In the 57th minute, Kellan fired a shot off the crossbar that stayed out. However, just 40 seconds later, the Camels finally got on the board. Thomas Rooney (Newton, Mass.) crossed a ball into the box, where Fokuo stuck his foot out and was able to get the ball over Bartsh-Erforth to make it 1-0.
The Lions responded by putting pressure on the Camels looking to even the score. Emerson nearly found the equalizer in the 89th minute as Carlo Carso put a shot towards goal, but Shea was able to deflect it over the crossbar to keep Conn in front. The Camels closed out the dying seconds to earn the 1-0 win.
Conn outshot Emerson 13-8, holding a 6-2 edge on shots on target and 7-2 advantage on corner kicks.
Shea picked up the win in net, recording two saves. Fokuo led the way with the lone goal, while Rooney chipped in an assist.
Amherst outshot Conn 12-9, while the Camels held a 7-4 edge on shots on target, while the Mammoths had a 9-3 advantage on corner kicks.
Bartsh-Erforth got the start in net for the Lions, finishing with five saves.
Conn returns to action on Saturday as the Camels travel north to take on No. 19 Middlebury at 12:00 p.m. in Middlebury, Vt.
