|
Saints Score Late to Win First Game of 2008
Aug. 30, 2008
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - The Siena men's soccer team won their first game of the season 1-0 against NJIT in Loudonville on Saturday. Junior Bobby DiFilippo finished the lone goal on a header from a Mike DeSimone cross in the 80th minute. The NJIT Highlanders (0-1) controlled most of the first half action, outshooting the Saints 9-4. Both Siena captains, senior Ross Cardinell and sophomore Sebastien Anzevui left the game with head injuries in the opening minutes. Cardinell did not return. NJIT's Osvaldo Perez led all players with nine shots (two on goal), patrolling the central midfield and routinely hitting long-range shots. Siena's (1-0) back line of Brian Woodfield, David Bonzerato, Joseph Tempone and Zach Gosse protected the defensive third well, only allowing four shots on goal throughout the game. Goalkeeper Steve Skonieczny stopped those four shots, recording his fourth career shutout. The second half saw more offense from the Saints, putting six of their eight shots on goal. In the 58th minute, DeSimone got behind the defense, only to be stopped by the Highlanders' goalkeeper Josh Osit, who came charging out to deflect the shot. Perez had a chance to give the Highlanders the lead in the 69th minute when he received a ball in the box but waited a second too late, allowing Woodfield to come sliding in and block the shot.
With ten minutes left in the game, Anzevui sent a corner through the box. DeSimone corralled the ball on the far end line and sent a cross to DiFilippo who headed the ball into the back of the net. It was DiFilippo's second career game winning goal, and DeSimone's fourth career assist. Today's game was Gareth Elliott's first career win as a head coach. The Saints return to action on Tuesday when they host Buffalo on Siena Field at 4 p.m. |
