Middletown, Conn. – September 16, 2009 – Chris Walton posted eight saves in goal but an early tally proved to be the difference as the Wesleyan Cardinals downed the Springfield College men’s soccer team, 1-0, on Wednesday afternoon in non-conference action.

Wesleyan controlled the tempo of the game for the most part with a decisive 19-9 edge in shots and an 8-1 margin in corner kicks. Walton kept the Pride in the game as he continued to have an impressive rookie campaign for Springfield.

The lone goal for the Cardinals came just 8:15 into the contest as junior Geoff Zartarian took a feed through on the left side by senior Asante Brooks and sent a low, bounding shot past Walton that caught inside the far post.

In the Wesleyan net, frosh Adam Purdy made four saves, to post the first shutout of his career. Wesleyan and Springfield have played every season since 1949 in menÂ's soccer, making this the 61st consecutive year the non-conference rivals have clashed on the pitch.

Springfield will return to action on Saturday afternoon when it opens up New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play at home against Wheaton at 12:00 pm.