Bristol Central (5-4-2) scored early and late and defeated Bristol Eastern (4-3-4) in a boys’ CCC soccer match Saturday afternoon.   

The Rams set the tone early when Charlie Pittman sped down the left wing and hit a hard shot into the far side of the Lancer net just two minutes into the game. 

Then late in the first half, at 37:00, Umar Malick hit a shot that eluded Lancer goalie Nate Diloreto for a 2-0 halftime lead.

“Central came out strong, moved the ball well, and we didn’t respond,” said Eastern coach Bill Sweet.  ” We played better in the second half, but still Central kept us from getting into any offensive flow.”

Late in the second half, at 34:00, Malick scored his second goal, pouncing on an Eastern misclear, and directing his shot into the goal.

Matt Beaucar with 4 saves got the shutout for Central, while Nate Diloreto (6) and Dylan Piazza (2) combined in goal for eight saves for Eastern.

Both teams enter the CCC group play-offs on Tuesday.   Central (#3 seed) travels to Plainville and Eastern (#4) travels to Farmington for a 4PM game at Tunxis Meade.