New London — It was a 1-0 loss, made even more difficult for the Connecticut College men's soccer team Sunday by the fact the Camels kept watching the ball tantalizingly pinball around in front of the opposing goal, actually hitting the left post with about seven minutes to play, without getting just the right bounce.

One day after winning its first NCAA Division III tournament game in program history and setting a team record with its 13th victory, Conn's historical season came to an end with a 1-0 loss to Ramapo in a second-round game at Freeman Field.

“We made that mistake and let a ball loose on a set piece and they slowed the game down,” Conn coach Kenny Murphy said of the outcome. “We had our chances. We had a (penalty kick), we hit the post. They did well. They're disappointed now, but they did well. They couldn't find the goal, but they battled their hearts out.”

Ramapo scored the game's only goal early, just 9 minutes, 54 seconds in, when defender Justin Charkowski hit a free kick from deep in the Roadrunners' own end which sailed all the way to the Conn goal. Joseph Fala, Ramapo's leading scorer, was there to head it in past Conn goalie AJ Marcucci.

Conn (13-3-2) outshot Ramapo 13-6 overall and 7-2 in the second half, but the equalizer never came.

Ramapo (16-3-2) moved on to the NCAA sectionals next weekend to meet the winner of Sunday's late game between Montclair State and New York University.

Afterward, some of the Conn players sat on the hill behind their bench, looking out over the field.

This weekend marked the first time the Camels ever earned the right to host an NCAA game and they took advantage, beating Thomas College 4-0 in Saturday's first-round game before a supportive following of Conn fans.

“It was definitely a tough game. It just didn't fall our way today,” said Conn midfielder and senior co-captain Ben Manoogian. “(Ramapo's goal) was their only dangerous chance of the game.

“It was a little tough having back-to-back games … different groups of guys went out to dinner or you got treatment if you needed it. We just tried to stay loose.”

Conn missed a penalty kick with 5:17 to play in the first half, as it was saved with a dive to the left by Ramapo goalie Joshua Schaffer (7 saves). The Camels were awarded the kick when Schaffer collided with Conn forward Christian Murphy on a run to the goal.

In the second half, Marcucci, the New England Small College Athletic Conference Player of the Year, exited the game after being shaken up in another collision — the game featured several, with seven yellow cards handed out — but he reentered with 12:44 to play to a rousing ovation from the Conn crowd.

Conn had a perfect corner kick from the right side rebound off the goalkeeper and back to leading scorer Liam Noonan with 8:29 to play, with the ball bouncing just about everywhere but across the goal line. Then, with 7:09 to play, Manoogian hit the post.

Conn still didn't give up, with Marcucci coming out of the goal to the midfield to take a free kick at about the three and a half minute mark.

Schaffer, the Ramapo goalie, made his final save with 26 seconds left on a cross by Matt Butera.

“You just get back up, that's how soccer games go sometimes,” said Manoogian of the hardfought nature of game.

“… All the fans have been great all year. It's the furthest we've ever been in program history. It's been a pleasure to help lead this team.”

Conn graduates six seniors, including Manoogian and fellow co-captain Ben Highton. The Camels, appearing in NCAA tournament play in consecutive seasons also for the first time in history, surrendered just five goals this year with 13 shutouts.

v.fulkerson@theday.com