Early Goal Seals Wesleyan Win Over Camels

A Wesleyan University goal put on the scoreboard soon after the start of a game against Connecticut College stayed there for the rest of the competition for a 1-0 Cardinal victory on Wednesday. The defeat marks the first of the season for the Camels' men's soccer team. The following information was provided by William Tomasian, sports information director for Connecticut College:

Noah Schlesinger (Surrey, England) scored 5:43 into regulation and the goal stood up as Wesleyan University withstood second half pressure from Connecticut College to hold on for a 1-0 win.

Wesleyan improves to 3-0-1 with the victory, while the Camels fall to 3-1 with a 2-1 mark in the NESCAC. It took the opposition 275 minutes and four games to finally break through and score a goal on the stingy Connecticut College defense in 2011.

Adam Purdy (Montclair, N.J.) made five stops en route to his third shutout of the season for Wesleyan. Sophomore Casey Marini (Hampden, Mass.) had six saves in the setback for Connecticut College.

Zach Dixon (New Orleans, La.) fired a low cross from the left side that went across the goal mouth and Schlesinger was able to put in a one-timer from eight yards out at the far post.

The Camels had some momentum in the second half. With 7:40 remaining, Mike Crosby (Sudbury, Mass.) delivered a cross out in front of the goal but the ball trickled wide and out of play. Connecticut College had another opportunity in the 89th minute but could not find the back of the net.

The Camels received valuable contributions from their bench in this one. Zach Punt (West Hartford, Conn.), Doug Garabedian (Salem, Mass.), Kevin Burt (New Canaan, Conn.) and Graham Christensen (Darien, Conn.) provided some valuable minutes for Coach Kenny Murphy's squad.

Both teams will return to action Saturday. The Cardinals will host Williams for a 1:30 p.m. game in Middletown, Conn. The Camels will host intra-state rival Trinity College for a 2:00 p.m. game in New London.