The Albertus Magnus men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Norwich University on Saturday night in the Falcons' 2013 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener in Northfield, Vt.
In the 15th minute of play, freshman Alec Brigante scored the eventual game-winning goal to lift the Cadets to their fourth victory of the season. It was the rookie's third goal of the year as he connected on a header inside the six-yard box. Anthony Amell registered the assist on the play.
With the win, Norwich improved to 4-1-1 overall and 1-0-0 in GNAC play, while the Falcons move to 1-4-0, and 0-1-0. Norwich goalkeeper Greg Payne made four stops in net for the Cadets in the shutout.
The Falcons outshot Norwich 12-6 on the night. Albertus' best scoring opportunity came in the 69th minute when Lindsley Barrett (Shelton, Conn.) drilled a shot from 20-yards out. Payne was able to get a hand on it to deflect it away but the ball fell to the feet of sophomore Tyler Peloquin (Beacon Falls, Conn.), who rushed a shot which sailed over the cross bar.
Albertus controlled the play for a majority of the second half, but Norwich had two quality scoring chances of its own which were turned aside by great saves from the Falcons' senior goalkeeper Donato Piroscafo (Naugatuck, Conn.). Piroscafo finished the night with two saves.
Payne is now 4-0-1 on the season and Norwich has shutout Albertus Magnus for 411:36 straight minutes. The two teams have ended each other's seasons for the last four years and Norwich now holds a 10-8-3 lead in the all-time series between the conference rivals.
The Falcons return to action on Saturday, Sept. 21 when they host Lasell at 3:15 p.m.
