Bulldogs head to Central Conn. Sunday

MEN'S SOCCER CLOSES SEASON AT CENTRAL CONNECTICUT SUNDAY AT 1 P.M.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After playing Northeast Conference Tournament-bound Fairleigh Dickinson to a scoreless tie on Senior Day, the Bryant University men's soccer team returns to the pitch on Sunday for their final match of the season.

The Bulldogs (5-8-2, 3-5-1 NEC) will head to New Britain, Conn., for their season finale against Central Connecticut State, Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

On Senior Day, the Bulldogs controlled a good majority of the game but could not break free from Fairleigh Dickinson, settling for a  0-0 draw on Sunday afternoon at Sutton Field.

Bryant's best chances came in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Less than five minutes into the half, sophomore Connor Norat (Wilmington, Del.) was able to get a shot off in the six-yard box but it was blocked. The ball came right back to him but Jacob Lissek was there to punch the attempt over the net. Just over 11 minutes later, a foul just outside the 18 set the Bulldogs up with an opportunity at goal. Senior Eddie Curry (Massapequa, N.Y.) took the free kick, rifling a shot to the far post that Lissek dove and stopped to keep the game scoreless.

Freshman keeper Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine) did his part on the defensive end to make sure the game remained scoreless throughout the 110 minutes. He made seven saves in the game, with four coming in overtime. It was Anthony Zarella (Marshfield, Mass.), however, that made the biggest save of the game in the 102^nd minute. FDU's Jack McVey found an opening and slipped the ball past Knaub but Zarella was there to knock it off the line and preserve the tie.

Central Connecticut St. enters Sunday with an 8-7-2 mark, 6-2-1 in the NEC after falling to Quinnipiac, 2-1, on Friday. The Blue Devils are led by seniors Reece Wilson and Jesse Menzies who have registered 22 and 15 points respectively. Classmate Anthony Occhialini handles the goalkeeping duties, posting a 1.21 goals against average with a .689 save percentage. Last season, the Bulldogs fell to CCSU, 4-2, at home.

Bryant will look to close out their 2012 campaign on a winning note on Sunday, adding to their already successful first season of full Division I eligibility.

For links to streaming video and live stats of Sunday's match and all the latest on Bryant University men's soccer, visit BryantBulldogs.com.