By Pat Tintle
Assistant Sports Editor
After an 0-5 start to season, the men’s soccer team won their first game over St. Francis University last Friday by a score of 2-1.
Down 1-0 in the 73rd minute, the Bonnies tied the game with a goal from senior defender Garret Pasano. Just five minutes later, senior forward Nicholas Perillo knocked in the game winner to give the Bonnies the lead and, ultimately, the game.
Coach Mel Mahler, although aware of the team’s 0-5 start, was not surprised that the Bonnies were able to beat the now 6-4 Red Flash.
“It’s more validation that we can win games,” Mahler said. “Other times when you’re doing stuff, until you see positive results, you sometimes question the process. Success validates that. We knew what we were doing was right, we just couldn’t find the results.”
The Bonnies’ success did not last long, however. The team flew out to Missouri on Sunday to open up Atlantic 10 play against third-ranked St. Louis. As the clear underdog, the Bonnies were hopeful an upset would keep the team on track, but the Bonnies fell to the Billikens 3-0.
“St. Louis has got some very good players, no doubt,” Mahler said. “Their roster is deeper than ours. They have some players who are very skillful, talented players. We knew going in that they would have more possession of the ball than us. That’s the reality of it.”
Despite the loss, Mahler felt his team showed competitiveness throughout the match.
“I thought that the first goal was a good goal for (St. Louis),” Mahler said. “The second one, sometimes you call that a soft one – something that we should have taken care of. And the penalty kick in the second half was, by the referee, questionable.”
Now 1-7, and 0-1 in the A-10, the Bonnies lost to Hartwick last night at 7 p.m. by a score of 2-1. The Bonnies struck first with a goal from sophomore midfielder Eddie Keen, but a late penalty kick in favor of Hartwick in the 89th minute sealed the Bonnies’2-1 loss.
“(Hartwick) plays similar to St. Louis, so its nothing we haven’t seen before,” Mahler said. “That’s a good feeling. Now we have to go on the road and put in a full 90 minutes – that’s what we haven’t done. We’ve played well the second half the last few games.”
The Bonnies entered last night’s game with two key injuries, according to Mahler. Junior midfielder Jimmy Barrios will sit due to a hamstring injury, while senior Blagoia Dimitrievski will be out due to a knee injury – an injury which has been bothering him for several years, according to Mahler.
After their game against Hartwick, the Bonnies will continue their A-10 season at home against Duquesne (5-3-2), Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m.
tintleph11@bonaventure.edu
