Bulldogs top CCSU, 2-1, clinch #2 seed in NEC Tournament

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Behind a pair of scores from senior forward Connor Norat (Wilmington, Del.), including a game-winning PK in the 103rd minute, the Bryant University men's soccer team wrapped up the regular season with a 2-1 victory at Central Connecticut State, Sunday afternoon in New Britain, Conn.

Norat, who has scored five goals against the Blue Devils (5-10-2, 1-5-1 Northeast Conference) in the last two seasons, helped the Bulldogs (9-4-3, 5-0-2 NEC) finish undefeated in Northeast Conference play for the first time in program history, solidifying the No. 2 seed in the upcoming NEC Tournament and a semifinal showdown with #3 St. Francis Brooklyn on Friday.

A week since their last match on Nov. 2, the Black and Gold showed no signs of rust, striking first in the 24th minute when senior Shane Murphy (Kennett Square, Pa.) sent a long feed into the box only to find his classmate, Norat, who headed in his third tally of the season to put Bryant up 1-0 early on.

CCSU wasted little time responding when Zach Zurita broke away from the Bulldog defense to beat Bryant GK Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine) to the lower left side with the equalizer in the 29th minute.

For the remainder of regulation and the first overtime period, the two teams remained gridlocked, 1-1, until the Bulldogs earned a penalty kick in the 103rd minute, setting up Norat for the game-winner.

Knaub made a pair of saves in his Bryant Division I program-best eighth victory of the season, while CCSU keeper Josef Abele made five saves despite the loss.

Looking ahead, the Bulldogs earn the second overall seed in the NEC Tournament (Nov. 14 and 16), finishing just a single point behind Saint Francis U. in the NEC Standings after the Red Flash defeated Robert Morris, 4-0, on Sunday. Bryant will faceoff with St. Francis Brooklyn for the second time this season when the tourney kicks off on Friday in Loretto, Pa. Saint Francis U. will play #4 LIU Brooklyn in the other semifinal matchup.

For all the latest news on the Bryant University men's soccer team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.