DANBURY, Conn. - Freshman back
Filipe Dutra (Naugatuck, Conn.) scored both goals and the Western Connecticut State University men's soccer team held on to defeat Rhode Island College, 2-1 in the Little East Conference opener for both teams at the Westside Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Dutra knotched his first collegiate goal on a free kick from 36 yards out on the left side of the field. His blast cleared the Anchormen wall then sped past the outstretched hand of Wesley Perrotto 16:54 into the contest.
WestConn would control the pace of play and possession of the ball for nearly the entire game. With 14:20 left in regulation, Dutra scored on a header in the box, following another header pass from Daniel Vallalba (Fairfield, Conn.) and the host seemed comfortably in front, 2-0.
Sophomore midfielder Anthony Recinos cut RIC's deficit in half when he converted a penalty with 3:17 remaining in the second stanza. It was his second goal of the season.
The Wolves, now 7-0 overall and 1-0 in the league, held on the rest of the way and finished with a 20-5 shot advantage, including an eight-shot margin, 12-4 in the final 45 minutes.
Freshman net minder
Zachary Benson (Milford, Conn.) improves to 5-0 between the posts after making just one save.
Perrotto made four saves including a pair of stellar stops in the 31st minute that could have easily put WestConn well ahead.
The Wolves travel to Western New England University on Wednesday, September 20 for a 4 pm non-conference meeting with the Golden Bears.
