Central Connecticut men’s soccer team suffered their ninth loss in a row on Friday, dropping a 3-1 decision to Saint Francis University. The Blue Devils now sit with a 0-11-1 record on the year and a 0-6-0 record in Northeast Conference play.

CCSU were first to strike in the game, going up 1-0 in the 29 minute. The goal came off the foot of the team’s leading scorer and so far lone bright spot, senior Eddie Yepes. Yepes scored the lone Blue Devil goal off of a long assist from junior Francesco Ambrosino, his first of the season. Yepes has now scored five goals over the last four games. The senior transfer leads the team in both goals and assists this season.

Saint Francis U was quick to answer with a goal of their own in the 37 minute from Renan Fuentes assisted by Felix Tonne, who delivered a low cross pass that Fuentes tipped in for the goal.

With a 1-1 tie heading into the second half, the Blue Devils looked to keep things contentious after the break. That soon changed as the Red Flash’s Lucas Rosa delivered a 52 minute goal that was assisted by Renan Fuentes. Rosa and Fuentes also connected in the 60 minute on a second goal of the game for Rosa, putting Saint Francis U up 3-1.

“We’ve got to replicate it in training over and over until we get it down,” head coach Shaun Greene said. “I’m proud of our effort, it’s been fantastic. We were up 1-0, we came out at halftime and were optimistic in the second half. This is a great group of guys and have never thrown in the towel.”

SFU tallied 10 shots on the day to CCSU’s three. Despite what the box score may show, the Blue Devils opened up the second half with numerous scoring chances but were unable to capitalize on them, falling just a pass short or committing a costly turnover.

The Blue Devils have struggled this season and have yet to notch their first victory, but despite the struggles the team remains motivated.

“This team has never had their head down. This team has never taken their foot off the accelerator, they’ve gone all out. We’ve said ‘look we are going to finish this, and we are going all the way to the finish line.’ We are going to go all with our best effort we are not easing off,” said head coach Shaun Green.

With only three games remaining on the schedule for the Blue Devils, they’ll look to finish off their season on a high note. They finish off the year with two straight home games against Long Island University and Merrimack, respectively, followed by a road game at Sacred Heart University to wrap up the regular season.

The Blue Devils will look to tally their first conference win of the year this weekend when they take on LIU at home on Oct. 25, at 3:30 p.m.