Manchester, N.H. (September 1) – The No. 16 Southern Connecticut Owls defeated Saint Anselm 2-1 in the Hawks’ conference opener at Melucci Field on a sunny Saturday afternoon.  The loss drops the Hawks to 0-2-1 overall, 0-1-0 NE-10 and improves the Owls to 2-1-1 overall, 1-0-1 NE-10. 

Both teams had scoring chances in the first half, but failed to convert leaving the score tied 0-0 at halftime.  The Hawks’ best scoring chance came halfway through the half when Sam Lamptey (Worcester, Mass.) broke free of a defender in the penalty area, but he rang the crossbar. 

This defensive battle finally opened up in the second half when the Owls struck first.  Michael Fraioli found the back of the net at the 78:14 mark, putting the Owls up 1-0.  Less than two minutes later, Larry Yeboah added a second goal for the Owls, assisted by Colin Jackson. 

The Hawks finally got on the scoreboard at the 89:00 mark when Sam Lamptey was taken down by an Owl defender in the penalty area, awarding him a penalty kick.  Lamptey converted, bringing the Hawks within one, but the Hawks did not manage to net an equalizer, leaving the final score 2-1. 

The Hawks return to play Sunday, September 2, hosting non-conference opponent Caldwell College at 2:00 p.m. on Melucci Field.