WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The University of New Haven men’s soccer team opened the 2011 season with a 0-0 tie on Sunday afternoon as they hosted non-conference opponent N.Y.I.T. at Kayo Field.

The Bears opened the game strong, remaining on New Haven’s side of the field for several minutes early on. However, sophomore Gui Dos Santos (Bethel, Conn./Bethel) inched past his defender at the 34:15 mark and just missed the left post to give the Chargers what would have been their first and only goal of the game. The remainder of the half included just two more shots as both defenses refused to give in.

The next 45 minutes of regulation saw similar play from both teams. Neither squad was able to control the pace of the game as the ball went back and forth throughout. With time running out in the second half, Matthew DiDonna of N.Y.I.T. missed on a header to give his team the lead at the 87:27 minute. It would eventually be the last opportunity for either team as they prepared for extra minutes.

New Haven put pressure on the Bears in both overtimes but could not find the net as the game ended in a 0-0 tie.

N.Y.I.T. had 16 total shots in the game but just two on goal while New Haven connected on six shots total and three on goal. Senior goalkeeper J.J. Comeau (Wallingford, Conn./Mark T. Sheehan ) played all 110 minutes without allowing a goal and Dos Santos and Joseph D’Antonio (Oceanside, N.Y./Oceanside ) provided pressure offensively for the Chargers.

New Haven returns to action on Wednesday, September 7 as they head on the road for their first away contest against Dowling. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.