DANBURY, Conn. —
Nickolas Santana (New Haven, Conn.) recorded a season-high four points with a goal and a pair of assists as the Western Connecticut State University men's soccer team blanked Little East Conference (LEC) foe Plymouth State University, 4-0, on Saturday at the Westside Athletic Complex. The Wolves improved to 5-1-3 overall and 2-0 in the conference, while the Panthers dropped to 3-3-0 and 0-2-0 in the league. Santana etched the eventual game-winner in the 11th minute of regulation.
After only 10 minutes of action, Santana was left unattended in the scoring zone as
Romario Bunjaj (Mahopac, N.Y.) sent a perfectly placed pass to a sprinting Santana from midfield after a takeaway from
Jhonn Padilla (Bronx, N.Y.) on the other side of the field. Eleven minutes later,
Juan Gomez Herrera (Brentwood, N.Y.) netted a short goal on the left side off the feed by
Chance Campbell (Bartow, Fla.). Santana assisted on the Wolves' second goal after the quick pass to Campbell from the top of the scoring zone.
The Panthers had several close opportunities in the first half, but the backline protected the Den. In the 28th minute, George Bergin had the chance to put Plymouth State on the board, but a sliding tackle by
Aidan Roxo (Danbury, Conn.) prevented a shot from landing. Two minutes later, Padilla intercepted a cross by Christian Torres. Bergin was again denied a shot after
Enzo LaGrassa-Gillet (Miami Beach, Fla.) went mano a mano with the junior for a clean tackle.
Demani Gordon (Bronx, N.Y.) had another takeaway for WestConn. in the 17th minute after he picked off Luke McLaughlin.
WestConn held the 2-0 lead until back-to-back goals by
Matthews Rocha (Danbury, Conn.), less than two minutes apart in the second half, gave the hosts a 4-0 lead. Roxo kept the ball in play near the sideline next to the net before a long pass to Santana, who flipped it up to Rocha for the bicycle kick that connected dead center with the twine in the 76th minute. Rocha netted his second goal two minutes later after a pass by
Jefferson Magalhaes (Danbury, Conn.).
WestConn travels to Montclair State University on Sunday for a 7 p.m. match.
