DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Western Connecticut State University scored a goal late in the first half of action enroute to a 1-0 victory over UMass Dartmouth in Little East Conference action on Friday night at Cressy Field. The Wolves move to 7-2-3 and are now 3-0-0 in conference play, while the Corsairs move to 2-3-3 and are 0-1-2 in the Little East.
 
The Corsairs defense, backed by two saves from rookie goalie EJ Corliss, allowed just one goal to the conference finalists from a season ago. The Wolves entered the game with 28 goals scored with a 2.54 scoring average on the season. UMD also surrendered just three shots on goal with WestConn coming into the contest averaging 8.27 per game.
 
After several solid chances by both squads in the opening half of action, it was the visitors who capitalized with just 17 seconds left to play. Freshman back Bamfa Fofana started the play, dribbling down the left side for a quick pass up to sophomore midfielder Jonathan Buxton.
 
Getting the ball back on a quick pass, Fofana worked to split the Corsairs defense, sliding in to connect with the ball which sailed high toward goal. Corliss attempted to make a diving save in the air, but the ball banked high into the right corner of the net for the tally.
 
Out of the intermission, the Corsairs looked to get themselves on the board with their first major chance coming in the 49th minute as a low left shot by Leonardo Alfama forced Wolves netminder Aime Ruggles to make a quick stop.
 
UMass Dartmouth continued to try and get one through in the 84th minutes, but a shot from Claudio Ramos missed high and right out of play. WestConn nearly made it a 2-0 game in the final minute, but Corliss held strong with a solid save in the right corner.
 
The Corsairs return to action on Wednesday when they host Salem State University at 6pm on Cressy Field.