TEANECK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson women's soccer team matched its best Northeast Conference start in program history Friday night after posting a 1-0 shutout over Central Connecticut State on Senior Night at University Stadium. With the victory, the Knights improve to 8-6-2 (4-0-1 NEC) on the season, while the Blue Devils fall to 4-11-0 (2-3-0 NEC) overall.

The difference in the contest came in the eighth minute when sophomore Esther Rochon found fellow classmate Carly Tice in the box, who was able to locate the back of the net for her second goal of the season.

CCSU had a great opportunity to score a couple minutes before, but a shot from the right side of the goal sailed high over the crossbar.

FDU looked to extend its lead in the 32nd minute, but a shot by Rochon was made on a great save by Blue Devils' goalkeeper Nikola Deiter.

Five minutes later, senior Sage DoVale, who was the lone senior honored in a pregame ceremony, made a great diving save to her right to keep the lead at 1-0.

At halftime, the visitors held a 5-3 advantage in shots.

In the second half, which was very physical and featured four yellow cards, CCSU extended its offensive attack and ultimately outshot FDU, 7-2, over the final 45 minutes.

DoVale had to make another great save in the 53rd minute when the visitor's shot was initially blocked but still had enough velocity to head towards the back of the net. However, the senior was able to get a hand on it to prevent the equalizer.

Two minutes later sophomore Amanda Goulet ripped a shot from just outside the box that forced Deiter to make a tough save.

Over the final 16:31, the Knights had to play a man down after Goulet was ejected for receiving her second yellow card of the match.

However, the FDU defense buckled down the rest of the way and picked up the three points to stay in second place in the conference standings.

DoVale made four saves in the match en route to picking up her sixth shutout of the season. For the contest, the Blue Devils outshot the home team, 12-5.

The Knights will have a quick turnaround when they travel to Fairfield, Conn. on Sunday, Oct. 27 to take on Sacred Heart in an NEC contest at 1 p.m.

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