Al Malafronte
Staff Reporter
Sacred Heart University Men’s Soccer Team just adores four, as a 2-1 Overtime victory at Adelphi University, improved their record to an outstanding 4-0 in front of 311 fans.
The Sacred Heart Pioneers’ own Marcello Castro, who played all 95 minutes of the game, struck first by scoring unassisted on the Adelphi Panthers, with a free kick for his third goal of the season.
A game highlighted by its physical style, tensions peaked during a confrontation that broke out between the two teams in the 34th minute. The only yellow card issued in the scuffle was Adelphi sophomore Dominico Parreli, as referees were quick to neutralize the situation.
“It was heated,” said sophomore forward Justin Brewer. “Everyone was able to come together spurt the moment just to back each other up because that’s our team and it shows every time we go out there.”
The Pioneers could not, however, neutralize the Panthers’ senior midfielder Alexander Kouznetsov, who tied the game at one, scoring on a free kick just three minutes before the break. Defense and superb goalkeeping was another positive for the Pioneers, as junior goalkeeper Alex Fait saving six goals in the net, and not allowing another after the 42nd minute. Although the Panthers held a 15-10 advantage in shots, and 8-1 in corner kicks, the Pioneers were resilient and pushed the game into overtime.
Sophomore forward Brian Francolini would then propel the Pioneers toward victory, notching his first goal of the season past the Panther’s senior goalkeeper Thorner Holde, who had stopped two shots earlier.
“I pretty much just had the ball cleared toward my direction, and thankfully the defender misplayed it,” said Francolini. “I had a 1-on-1 with the goalie and I scored.”
The victory marked the Pioneer’s first road win of the 2010 season, and their fourth straight.
“It was a good win for us because everyone’s been playing for the same goal,” said Francolini. “We have great team chemistry, and we’re all very close on and off the field. That’s going to be very important down the stretch.”
The Pioneers remain confident, as the team only won seven games all of last season.
“We got a good vibe here right now. We’re playing well, walking away with wins and I don’t think there’s a team that can beat us,” said Brewer. “Even if they may be better than us, we’ll still out-work them, out-fight them.”
Brewer hopes the team can keep the good vibrations going, as the team is ready to finish a four-game road trip to Providence, Yale, and Iona.
“Our coach [Joe Barroso] has done a good job of just worrying about our team and letting us play our game. We’re 4-0, every game is almost like a championship game. To keep winning like this, it really is addicting. You don’t want to stop.”
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