NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – Ivan Blaskic (Zagreb, Croatia) netted the game winner in the 96th minute as the No. 18 UMass Lowell (1-0) men's soccer team shocked Central Connecticut (0-1), 2-1, in the 2017 season opener for both teams.
 
Blaskic sent his first goal of the season into the lower right corner after receiving a corner from Jakov Blaskic (Zagreb, Croatia.)

"I thought this was the typical season opener game, in that we are still finding ways to improve after only two weeks together," remarked Head Coach Christian Figueroa. "The guys responded really well and kept their composure after giving up a goal midway through the first half. The group believed that not only could they score in the second half, but that they could win the game if it went into overtime. These are the games that really test your character, and I thought the guys showed maturity in order to get the result."
 
Earlier in the extra period, Ivan Abramovic (Zagreb, Croatia) nearly had the game-winning tally but the CCSU keeper made a sprawling save.
 
Trailing 1-0 in the 84th minute, Richard Mulo (Kisumu, Kenya) knotted up the contest for the visitors with a drifting shot that snuck over the goalie's head and into the back of the net, with Abramovic getting the assist.
 
Despite the River Hawks owning the better opportunities in the first half, the Blue Devils struck first off the foot of Louis Beddouri in the 24th minute.
 
UMass Lowell came within inches of taking the lead in the first 10 minutes, but Guilherme Rodrigues (Lowell, Mass.) saw his volley hit off the crossbar and stay out.
 
Austin Kroll (Baltimore, Md.) made two second-half saves to pick up the win, and the River Hawks out shot the Blue Devils, 15-8.
 
UMass Lowell is back in action on September 1 with its first home contest of the season, taking on Boston University at 7 p.m.