WILLIMANTIC, Conn. - After upending second-seeded UMass-Boston the Little East Conference Tournament semifinals on Thursday night, the Western Connecticut State University men's soccer was edged at top-seeded Eastern Connecticut, 2-1, in the LEC Championship contest on Saturday afternoon at Thomas Nevers Field. With the loss, WestConn's season ended at 17-6 overall, while the Warriors improved to 13-6 and earned an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament. 

After a scoreless opening half, WestConn drew first blood when senior Harrison Allers (Wilton, Conn.) knocked a header into the back of the net off a corner kick feed from sophomore Kent Eannarino (Brookfield, Conn.) at the 64:07 mark. 

The lead was short-lived as the hosts responded with a goal of their own less than two minutes later. Logan Brennan took a pass from Jackson Trerwieler and punched home his fourth goal of the year. 

WestConn followed with several quality scoring chances. However, their shots misfired just wide of the net each time. Eastern was able to tally the game-winning goal in the 85th minute of play when Larson Richards converted on a penalty kick attempt. 

The visitors finished the contest ahead in shots, 14-10, and corner kick attempts, 7-4. WestConn senior goalie Daniel Szabo (Trumbull, Conn.) and Eastern netminder Dyllan Pallanck each finished with four saves.