POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - Powered by an early first half tally, the Western Connecticut State University men's soccer team edged Vassar College in the season opener for both teams on Thursday afternoon at Gordon Field. The Wolves, aided by an 11th-minute score from Kent Eannarino, are now 1-0, while the Brewers fall to 0-1 on the young season.

Western Connecticut got on the scoreboard after a shot from freshman middie Drityll Gashi saw Brewers senior captain Eric Wnorowski make an outstanding diving save in the box. The ball caromed out into play as Eannarino got a beat on it past the Vassar defenders - rifling it into the left corner of the net.

The Brewers had a chance in the 38th-minute, but a nice blocking tackle on a shot by senior forward Kyle Lopes, continued to give the visting Wolves the advantage as they headed into halftime with the one-goal advantage.

Second half action saw another great stop by Wnorowski as the netminder scooped up a rocketed shot by rookie defender Filipe Dutra in the 60th minute. Vassar once again had a nice chance in the 73rd minute when senior midfielder Ryan Lane bulleted a shot in on goal, but the ball sailed just left and out of play.

The Brewers nearly capitalized in the 77th minute, paced by senior captain Owen Fauth as he battled the goalie and defender in the box. Slipping past the coverage, he fired a shot in, but the Wolves goalie was there to make a chest save and send it back to West Conn's possession. Vassar rookie Diego Pastor-Valverde also had a great attempt for the Brewers in the 79th minute, but his shot also went just left of the post and out.

Western Connecticut State held an 8-7 margin in shots for the game, as sophomore goalie Matthew Silva earned the victory with 45 minutes played in the opening half and two stops. Rookie Zachary Benson came on in the second half, playing 45 minutes with no stops. For the Brewers, Wnorowski played the full 90 minutes, recording three saves on the evening as Vassar led the game with a 7-4 margin in corners.

Vassar is back in action on Sunday when it travels to Newburgh for a 12pm match at Mount Saint Mary's College. Western Connecticut State is back on the pitch on Saturday against Nichols at 4:30pm at the MCLA Tournament in North Adams, MA.