Yale Edges Marist 2-1

by Tim Bennett

September 23, 2012

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – It was a day of firsts for the Yale men’s soccer team Sunday at Marist. Sophomores Kevin Michalak and Conner Lachenbruch each scored their first career goals and goalkeeper Blake Brown earned his first career victory as the Bulldogs edged the Red Foxes 2-1.

The goals came six minutes apart midway through the second half as Yale erased a 1-0 deficit.

“This was a real character building win for us,” said Yale head coach Brian Tompkins. “To be down a goal on the road and play our way back into the game and be deserving winners makes me happy.”

The day got off to a rough start for the Bulldogs. Marist’s Dylan Lee scored just 1:23 in when his long shot deflected off a Yale defender and in.

The rest of the first half was evenly played as both teams finished with four shots.

“It took us a little while to sort out their defensive pressure and settle into the game,” Tompkins said.

Lachenbruch got the equalizer at 64:40 when he banged in the rebound of a Milan Tica free kick that deflected off the cross bar. Nearly six minutes later, Michalak tallied the game-winner when he settled a Jenner Fox cross and fired a shot in from 10 yards out.

“We had two good goals,” Tompkins said. “One came through perseverance and one through great skill. It was the first college goals for both, and it was nice to see their good play get rewarded.”

Bobby Thalman, who had played every minute of every game in goal entering the day, made one save in the first half. Tompkins elected to get Brown some work in the second half, and he responded with a solid effort, making two saves to earn the win.

Yale finished with a 14-8 edge in shots.

The Bulldogs (3-3-2) are unbeaten in their last four games.

Yale completes a three-game-in-five-days stretch on Tuesday, hosting No. 2 UConn at 7 p.m. at Reese Stadium.