*Written by Jonny Stevens
The Albertus Magnus men's soccer team defeated Rivier (1-7-1,0-3-1 GNAC) on Saturday afternoon at Celentano Field as the Falcons won 3-0 over the Raiders .The Falcons' improved their record to 3-7 overall and 1-3 in the GNAC.
The first half started off very solid for the Falcons. Their point of attack remained the same throughout the first fifteen minutes. The play would swing out wide to junior midfielder Richard Mitchell (Naugatuck, Conn.) who would send a left footed cross into the box. On the three occasions this happened the Rivier defense stifled the chance.
The same technique was used in the 20th minute but this time senior midfielder Lindsley Barrett (Shelton, Conn.) was sprung out wide. Barrett ripped a low cross across the box and it was deflected in by Austin Tomin (Hamden, Conn.) on a perfectly timed run.
Not even a minute later, Rivier looked to equal the score on their first opportunity of the game. Junior midfielder Danny Connely ripped a shot from outside the 18 yard box; the shot beat the outstretched goalkeeper but struck the post.
Albertus Magnus continued on the offensive throughout the rest of the first half. The attack peppered shots from 20 to 30 yards out on Rivier's goalkeeper Gary Archambault. At the end of the first half, Albertus lead in shots ten to one.
The second Falcons' goal came in the 66th minute from freshman striker Matt Mueller (Cheshire, Conn.). Mueller took on a defender with a gorgeous move to the outside. After beating the defender 1-on-1, he drilled a shot far post and into the side netting. This was the first career goal for Mueller.
Albertus Magnus dominated possession in the second half and was led by Barrett. In the 80th minute, Barrett held the ball in the midfield and hit a long switch to Patrick Kenefick (Woodbridge, Conn.). Kenefick dribbled the ball across the field and switched the ball this time to Alexis Garcia (West Haven, Conn.) Garcia took on the defender and drilled a shot from the same spot as Mueller earlier in the game. The shot beat the goalkeeper and hit the inside of the post and went in. Garcia scored his fifth goal of the season which leads all scorers on the team.
The Falcons had a total of 23 shots, with eight of them being on frame. Rivier got off only two shots, one being on goal. Donato Piroscafo (Naugatuck, Conn.) earned his second shutout of the year.
The Falcons look to continue good play against Coast Guard Tuesday afternoon at Celentano Field in New Haven, Connecticut. Game time is 3:30 p.m.
