Men's Soccer Races Past New Haven, 4-1, In 2018 Season Opener

Bridgeport, Conn.-The University of Bridgeport men's soccer team got its 2018 season off to a fast start on Thursday night with a convincing 4-1 home win over the visiting University of New Haven Chargers at Knights Field in the season opener for both squads.

The Purple Knights got off to a quick start on Thursday when junior Yoel Salvador (Bridgeport, Conn.) netted his team's first goal of the new season just 12:36 into action.

Newcomer, junior Leandro Avila (Panama City, Panama) extended Bridgeport's lead to 2-0 with his first of two goals on the evening off an assist from classmate Nikolai Vadseth (Langevaag, Norway) with 8:18 remaining in the first half.  Vadseth would also hook up with Avila for the Purple Knights final goal of night with just under six minutes to play.

UB's third goal came at the 76:24 mark when junior Lucas Santos (Sao Paulo, Brazil) blasted home a goal off an assist from freshman Jonas Schmelcher (Berlin, Germany) on a set piece after a corner kick.

Bridgeport outshot UNH, 18-12, on the night.

The visiting Chargers broke the Purple Knights' shutout with a little over six minutes to play on a tally by Pablo Perez-Gomez.

UB goalkeepers freshman Carlos Tofern (Hamburg, Germany) and senior Daniel Coviella (Ribadesella, Spain) each made one save in net for the winners.

Up next, the Bridgeport men's soccer team will play its first road match of 2018 when the team travels up I-95 to face Southern Connecticut State University on Sunday in New Haven.  Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.