NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – Army men’s soccer junior goalkeeper Winston Boldt posted his 10th clean sheet of the season to become the Academy’s all-time leader in shutouts, as the Black Knights topped Central Connecticut State, 2-0, in a non-conference match-up on Tuesday evening at CCSU Soccer Field.

Army, which is ranked sixth in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Mid-Atlantic Region poll, improves to 11-1-1, marking the best start in program history. The 2013 team becomes the eighth Army squad to achieve 11 wins in a season, and the first since 1996. In notching his 10th shutout of the year, Boldt surpassed Frank Oprandy’s ’89 mark of nine shutouts set in 1988 and matched in 1992 by Lucas Rice ’93. Boldt entered the match ranked first in the nation in shutouts, while contributing to the team’s national rankings of first in save percentage (.909) and third in goals against average (.480).

“Winston is a tremendous goalkeeper,” said Army head men’s soccer coach Russell Payne. “He has a lot of great attributes for that position. Shutouts are a team effort, and as a team, we’ve earned all 10 of those. I think it’s a testament to the guys believing in each other. I can’t compare us to other Army teams, but I know that this team is a very tight group. They stay congruent with each other on and off the field, and I think that translates into success.”

The Blue Devils, who stand fourth in the NSCAA’s North Atlantic Region, fall to 6-6-1 after the setback.

“CCSU is a very good team,” Payne said. “There was no overlooking them whatsoever and I’m very proud of our professional approach in tonight’s game.”

Freshman forwards Ethan Spivack and Nick Williams scored for the Black Knights, while junior back Sean Mogan contributed an assist. Boldt made one save in a game which saw Army control an 11-4 advantage is shots and an 8-1 lead in corners.

Junior goalie Rafal Krauze played the entire first half for Central Connecticut State before being replaced by sophomore Nick Velleca, who stopped three shots in the second half.

The Black Knights manufactured a dangerous chance in the 24th minute when Mogan crossed a ball from the right side to sophomore back Cameron Niccum whose shot went just wide of the left post. Army came close to taking a 1-0 advantage again in the 32nd minute, as Williams took a wide turn to get behind a diving Krauze inside the 18-yard box before sending a shot across the goal face, just missing the right post. Just 5:10 later, Williams made his way back to the front of the goal, this time capitalizing on a Blue Devil turnover and beating Krauze on the lower left side to put the Black Knights on top, 1-0. Boldt didn’t face any shots in the opening half, as the hosts had just one attempt that went wide.

Army had a pair of shots in the first 15:02 of the second half before Boldt made his only stop of the contest on a shot by sophomore midfielder Freddy Metellus in the 63rd minute. Spivack added to the Black Knights’ lead in the 72nd minute, when he found the back of the net after receiving a pass from Mogan, notching his team-leading fourth marker of the campaign. The Blue Devils had two shots during a 1:04 span within the final 2:22 of the game, but neither chance was on target.

The Black Knights return to Clinton Field for their final home game on Saturday, Oct. 26., when they battle Lehigh in a Patriot League match scheduled for 7 p.m.

Match Notes: Army moves to 2-3-0 all-time versus Central Connecticut State … junior Winston Boldt becomes Army’s all-time leader in shutouts with 10 … the Black Knights’ 11-1-1 record marks the best start in Academy history … freshman Nick Williams scored his second game-winning  goal of the season, as freshman have tallied eight of the team’s 11 game winners in 2013.

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