November 1, 2011
EXTRATIME HEARTBREAK
FDU loses lead, game in OT, 2-1

TEANECK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson men dropped a 2-1 extratime decision to Central Connecticut State in Northeast Conference action at University Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

The Blue Devils improved to 9-8-0 (6-3-0 NEC) on the season, while the Knights fall to 9-4-3 (5-2-2 NEC).

The Knights took a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute when the CCSU defense had a breakdown that resulted in freshman Nico Wright going one-on-one with goalkeeper Anthony Occhialini. Wright’s first shot was saved, but he got the rebound and buried the shot for the first goal of his career.

FDU had a golden opportunity to extend its lead with about three minutes remaining in the first half when sophomore Liam Cahill ripped a shot from short range that went over the crossbar.

CCSU put more pressure on the Knights in the second half. With less than 10 minutes remaining, Reece Davis fired a shot that FDU goalkeeper Jacob Lissek made a save on that resulted in a rebound. CCSU's Eddy Bogle of CCSU's shot was sent into the side of the net, which allowed the Knights to dodge a major bullet.

However, FDU’s lead vanished in the 84th minute when Wilson created a scoring opportunity in the right side of the penalty area as he fired a low shot past a diving Lissek into the lower-left corner of the net to tie the game.

In extratime, the Knights had one good scoring chance that came up empty off a corner kick. The Blue Devils came through in their lone scoring chance in the 96th minute as Wilson gave a pass to Thomas Obasi, who dribbled the ball in the right side of the box. He then ripped a shot on the ground by Lissek for the game-winner.

Lissek made seven saves, while Occhialini turned away four shots.

“It was a tough, hard-fought NEC battle," FDU coach Seth Roland said. “We need to do a better job managing our leads, but credit CCSU for competing hard and finding a way to win the match. Now we have to bounce back and get ready for a big contest at LIU on Saturday.”

The Knights, who started the day one point behind first-place Monmouth, fell into third place. Monmouth and CCSU are tied for first place with 18 points apeice. FDU plays its regular-season finale at Long Island University in Brooklyn, N.Y. at 3 p.m. Saturday. A victory would clinch a playoff spot for the Knights.