LORETTO, PA — The St. Bonaventure men’s soccer team is officially off the mark for the season, grabbing their first win on the road at Saint Francis.
After back-to-back 3-2 losses to start the campaign, coach Mick Giordano’s squad nabbed a 1-0 win over the Red Flashes. It marked the first time the Bonnies have defeated Saint Francis consecutively, at home in the all-time series between the sides.
However, the action truly didn’t ramp up until after the intermission. In the first half, Bona and Saint Francis combined for just five total shots, both managing to put just one on frame. The offenses would eventually find their groove after halftime, and luckily for Bona they made their first big chance of the second half count.
In the 47th minute, midfielder Kyle Macfarlane — who scored a goal in the Bonnies’ season-opener against Niagara and provided an assist against Bucknell — made a well-timed run and slotted past the Saint Francis goalkeeper to get the visitors on the board.
Bona was able to maintain significant pressure on the Red Flashes’ goal in the minutes that followed, but no brace was to be scored. Saint Francis weathered the storm, and as the half wore on, the hosts took their turn to bombard the Bona defensive third.
A number of near-misses had Bona on the brink of conceding its slim lead, but the defense held together, surviving a late red card handed to Neshawn Sutherland that set up a Saint Francis free kick that just barely cleared the crossbar.
Bona wound out the clock with a number of deep clearances and with the final horn, picked up its first win tally of the year.
Next up for the Bonnies is a home affair against Mercyhurst on Aug. 31 at 2 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
St. Bonaventure 1, Saint Peter’s 1
JERSEY CITY, NJ — The St. Bonaventure women’s soccer team was left still in search of its first win of the season after a late, heartbreaking equalizer saw Saint Peter’s rescue a 1-1 tie.
It was a true battle between the Bonnies and Peacocks that saw a grand total of 19 fouls called, six yellow cards shown and one red card to Bona’s Abigail Wysong. But the physicality truly wasn’t ramped up until after the Bonnies netted the game’s opening goal.
In the 28th minute, Ekemini Udofa was rewarded for her extremely well-timed run in behind the Peacocks’ defense with a through ball that caught even the Saint Peter’s goalkeeper out. One touch took her around the keeper and all that was left for Udofa to do in order to get her first goal of the campaign was to pass the ball into an open net.
The hosts, on the back of big wins over Temple and LIU, in which they out scored their opponents a combined 6-1, were on the back foot.
Bona took the lead into the intermission and carried it through a good portion of the second half, until Saint Peter’s got themselves back into the game. In the 77th minute, a pass from Alexa De Barros to Julia Pinho Magno, on a set piece routine was well-covered by the Bona defense. Still, Pinho Magno managed to get a shot off, one that hit Bona goalkeeper Juliana Castellano in the hands, but was too strong to keep out of the net.
From that moment on, Bona and Saint Peter’s threw everything they had at each other. It was a fight until the end, but when the final horn sounded the sides were left to settle for a draw.
The Bonnies will travel to Post University for their next game, set for Aug. 31 at 1 p.m.
Girl’s Soccer
GIRARD, PA – After dropping their season opener, the Bradford girls’ soccer team righted their ship with a shutout 3-0 win over Girard.
In their first glimpse of action, the Lady Owls took on Harbor Creek on their home field, a team they earned a 1-0 win over the season before. While that contest ended with a tally in the loss column, they snapped back with a road win, led by their star Alyssa Mangold.
Against the Lady Yellowjackets, Mangold came away with two goals with her forward counterpart Karissa Chamberlin assisting on one and netting another. Kierstan Taylor and Rory Hollerbeke also both recorded assists while Maddy Stark came away with three saves while tending the net.
Port Allegany 1, Ridgway 0
RIDGWAY, PA – The Lady Gators evened their record at 1-1 with a win against the Lady Elkers.
After 40 scoreless minutes, Kylee Pelchy broke the stalemate with a score in the second half, receiving a pass from Kendra Meade.
In the goal, Sara Zameroski came away with 26 saves while her replacement, Hannah Taylor, tallied five.
Volleyball
Bradford 3, Brockway 1
BROCKWAY, PA – Playing their third game of the week, the Lady Owls recorded their second win with a hard fought win over the Lady Rovers.
Bradford took wins in the first two sets, 25-22 and 25-23, before dropping the third set 25-21. However, they would rally for a win in set No. 4 with the biggest margin of victory of the day, clinching the victory with a 25-17 final set.
Running the offense, Aliya Corignani came away with 39 assists alongside seven kills while Emma Pilon tallied 14 kills. Hayley Keane dominated the net with six blocks to go with her 13 kills while Addison Carter claimed 10 kills.
Port Allegany 3, Galeton 0
GALETON, PA – Taking care of business sooner rather than later, the Lady Gators stumped Galeton as they pulled away with a sweep, winning 25-8, 25-9 and 25-16.
Brynn Evans ended with 17 service points, six aces and four kills alongside Jenna Renner, who tallied nine kills, three aces and 11 service points. Lily Lehmier had 17 service points, eight kills and three aces and Isla Lehmier tallied 17 assists, three aces, three kills and 13 service points.
