The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's soccer team fell in a tough East Coast Conference tussle with the University of Bridgeport by a 1-0 count. Bridgeport scored the game's lone goal with less than 12 minutes remaining to drop the Spartans to 4-3-1 overall and 2-2 in ECC action, with the visitors improving to 2-4, 2-1.

Tight defense was the story of the evenly-played first half, with the visitors holding a narrow 8-7 edge in shots and the goalkeepers called upon to combine for just four saves. After the break, the momentum would swing Bridgeport's way with the visitors controlling possession, but still unable to generate strong opportunities on net.

With the contest headed toward an apparent overtime, Jonny Ortiz would touch a pass to Daniel Augenstein at the top of the box. Augenstein, with his back to the net, would turn and fire a skidding shot into the far corner, past the outstretched fingers of Spartan goalkeeper Nathan Mangione. The tally at the 78:22 mark would be the last good scoring opportunity for either team, sending the visitors to victory.

Bridgeport outshot St. Thomas Aquinas by an 11-4 margin in the second half and 19-11 for the game, with Mangione turning aside four Purple Knights shots. UB keeper Augustin Prados also made four saves in earning the shutout.

The loss snapped a three-game home winning streak for STAC, as they return to Spartan Field for another ECC contest against Queens College next Saturday, October 12 at 2:30 pm. The game is the back end of a double-header which will see the women's team kick off at 12:00 noon.