MANSFIELD, Conn. – A pair of Kyle Burbage '25 goals, one in the final minute of the first half and the other just one minute into the second, helped lift the Wesleyan men's soccer team to a 2-0 non-conference win over Eastern Connecticut State on Wednesday night.
 
The match was the season opener for Wesleyan (1-0) and the home opener for Eastern (0-1-2). Wesleyan came out on top for just the second time in the last six matches between the two programs. It was the first meeting between the sides in six years since the teams scored 23 seconds apart late in the game in a 1-1 overtime tie.
 
Burbage, who scored only once in 11 games played as a freshman last season, bodied in a header from classmate Soren Tollis '25 from the goal line past Eastern goalkeeper Dylan Pallanck after 44 scoreless first half minutes.
 
Motivated with a 1-0 halftime lead after 44+ scoreless minutes, Wesleyan continued its surge in the opening minute of the second half when Phillip Cubeddu '23 gathered a rebound at the right post and slid it in front to Burbage who knocked it in from six yards out. The play originated off a throw-in from Zack Burd '25, which landed at the foot of Mateo Neighbors '25 at the top of the box. Neighbors got the ball to Tollis on the right side, whose bid to score near the right post was denied by Pallanck.
 
Cubeddu also recorded an assist on Burbage's first goal when his chip from the right side found the head of Tollis, who sent it into the box while moving away from the net.
 
Liam Devanny '23 made his 32^nd consecutive start, recording three saves on his way to his 12^th career shutout and 16^th career victory. Tollis and Cubeddu recorded their first career points in the victory.
 
Wesleyan opens NESCAC play this weekend as the Cardinals welcome Colby for a 2:00 PM start on Saturday from Jackson Field. The Cardinals are 10-0-1 all-time against the Mules at home and 20-2-1 overall in 23 all-time meetings.