LORETTO, Pa. (Sept. 15) – The Saint Vincent men's soccer team continued its strong start to the season, rolling to a 5-1 victory over Saint Francis University on Tuesday afternoon at the Stokes Soccerplex.
Saint Vincent (3-1) scored twice in the opening half before adding three unanswered goals in the second half to pull away for the victory. Daniel Maddock led the Bearcats offensively with two goals, while Seamus Ballesteros, Cameron Mulvanny and Nick Johnson each found the back of the net as well.
Oziel Bonola-Soriano recorded two assists in the win, while Ballesteros added one assist.
The Bearcats wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, taking a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute. Bonola-Soriano set up Ballesteros, who found the back of the net at the 8:08 mark for his first goal of the season.
Saint Francis answered in the 31st minute, as Japhy McGuinness scored at the 30:18 mark to even the score at 1-1.
The tie lasted just 52 seconds, as the Bearcats immediately responded. Ballesteros found Mulvanny, who scored his second goal of the season at the 31:10 mark to put Saint Vincent back in front, 2-1.
Saint Vincent carried the one-goal advantage into halftime after outshooting the Red Flash, 8-3, over the opening 45 minutes.
The Bearcats quickly added to their lead after the break. Just over five minutes into the second half, Bonola-Soriano connected with Maddock, who scored his first goal of the afternoon and second of the season to increase the Saint Vincent advantage to 3-1.
Saint Vincent continued to control play throughout the second half before Maddock struck again in the 73rd minute. His second goal of the afternoon at the 72:07 mark pushed the Bearcats' lead to 4-1.
Johnson capped off the scoring in the 80th minute, finding the back of the net at the 79:47 mark for his second goal of the season to give Saint Vincent the 5-1 advantage.
The Bearcats controlled the offensive attack throughout the afternoon, outshooting Saint Francis by a 17-5 margin, including a 12-2 advantage in shots on goal. Saint Vincent also held a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks.
Maddock led the Bearcats with six shots, putting five on goal, while Mulvanny recorded three shots. Ballesteros and Johnson each put both of their shot attempts on goal.
Andrew Schneider earned the win in net for Saint Vincent, allowing one goal and making one save over 83:45 of action. Emerson Bush played the final 6:15 in goal for the Bearcats. Saint Francis goalkeeper Angus Ryan recorded seven saves.
Saint Vincent returns home on Saturday, September 19 when the Bearcats host Grove City College at UPMC Field. The match is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. in Latrobe.
