NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – The Central Connecticut men’s soccer team seems to have a bit of a chip on its shoulder to start the season. The Blue Devils were picked seventh in the Northeast Conference preseason poll, despite returning a solid nucleus of players from last year’s team that tied for the regular season title.

CCSU took the first step toward proving the prognosticators wrong by blanking Yale 2-0 in the season opener for both teams on Friday night.

“Central is a very good team and they gave us some problems,” said Yale head coach Brian Tompkins. “It’s still very early in the season and this will help us identify some key things we need to work on.”

Eddy Bogle and Jesse Menzies both scored to lead Central Connecticut.

Bogle’s goal came midway through the first half when he put home the rebound of a Reece Wilson shot.

Menzies’ insurance goal came off a nifty individual move midway through the second half.

Bobby Thalman made eight saves in goal for the Bulldogs, who host Albany in their home opener on Monday at 2 p.m.

“We’ll look to improve and get a better result on Monday,” Tompkins said.

Yale had two freshmen – Pablo Espinola and Tyler Detorie – in the starting lineup, while newcomers Avery Schwartz, Mitch Wagner and Philip Piper saw their first career action off the bench.

The Bulldogs also welcomed back Scott Armbrust, who returned to the starting lineup after missing all of last season with an injury.

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