The Central Connecticut State University men’s soccer team picked up their first Northeast Conference win of the season after defeating the Howard University Bison 2-1 on Sunday, Oct. 29, at CCSU Soccer Field.
The game was do-or-die for the Blue Devils, who were coming off a 0-0 draw against Stonehill College last Thursday. For Central, a loss or draw against Howard on Sunday likely ended any hopes of clinching an NEC Tournament berth.
Central continued their first-half struggles again in this game after conceding a goal to Howard only six minutes in. The Blue Devils would go into the half having to fight an uphill battle.
CCSU came out of halftime looking like a completely different team. In the 50th minute, Central was leveled 1-1 with Howard after a through-pass by Zane Brown found Austin Rocke, for a goal.
It was the sixth goal of the season for Rocke. The midfielder leads the team in goals scored. Despite being an offensive threat for the Blue Devils and having the chance to play up front, Rocke believes that his current position is his best position.
“I think the position that I’m playing right now suits me the best because I can help defensively, but I can contribute up front as well, and that’s what’s working for us,” Rocke said. “Hopefully, it continues to work, I continue to score, and we continue to win.”
Central continued to be in control for much of the half. But, as the game neared its end, desperation began to set in as neither team could afford to settle for a draw.
Central broke the deadlock in the 85th minute when a free kick by Norwegian forward Birk Martinsen made its way to compatriot Jakob Welle for a goal putting the Blue Devils up 2-1. It was Welle’s third goal of the season and his second in three games.
With minutes left to make or break the season, Centrals goalkeeper Daniel Wilmore came up with two big saves, one with less than 90 seconds left to play.
Wilmore said he understood the importance of his game-winning saves but made sure to credit his defense for limiting the amount of chances Howard had.
“I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t really proud of them [saves], but I’m also really proud of our defense,” Wilmore said. “But when I’m called upon, I’m happy to do my part, especially on senior night.”
Wilmore said that since he has been at CCSU, he had not witnessed a more dominant second-half performance than Sunday against Howard. He said that he didn’t think a single player on the Central team had a bad game.
Before kickoff, CCSU recognized the team’s seniors, Austin Rocke, Jakob Welle, Zane Brown, Birk Martinsen, Joseph Boakye, Diego Ramirez, Kyle Halehale, Ivan Farias-Martinez, Johnny Morell, and Ola Telje. Family members, friends, and former teammates were all present to honor the players.
Central’s head coach, David Kelly, has a special connection to the seniors. Most were among Kelly’sfirst recruits when he took over the role in January 2020.
Kelly said these players have laid the foundation for the future of the men’s soccer team.
“They’ve seen a lot of adversity, but I wouldn’t trade them for anybody,” Kelly said. “I love them, and I’m going to miss them. Every step forward that the program takes will be on their shoulders.”
Central’s last regular season game is away against Merrimack College on Thursday, Nov. 2, at 4 p.m. A must-win for the Blue Devils to clinch an NEC Tournament berth.
