SAINTS OVERCOME GENESEO 2-1

The SLU men’s soccer team beat SUNY Geneseo earlier today to break even for the weekend. With the win, the Saints move to 3-1 on the year. Coach Bob Durocher explained, “It has been a tough weekend. With Steve Watson getting a red card early in the second half, we were forced to play without our leading scorer. It was gut check time and these guys played well.”

Watson and Mark McIntire scored unassisted goals today to lift the Saints over the Blue Knights. “Jordan James had another amazing day in the net for us,” remarked Coach Durocher. “Sean Charles and Brandon Tougher did a great job in the back today; and Garrett Huntley played very consistent for us,” explained Durocher.

Coach Durocher and his staff played 23 men today. They continue to mix up the chances and playing time in order to figure out what is going to work best going into conference games. “We’re still missing something,” Durocher explained, “I’m not quite sure what it is yet, but I’ll find it because these guys can be better.”

SAINTS LOSE 2-0 TO ROCHESTER

The St. Lawrence Men’s Soccer Team lost their first game of the year tonight versus Rochester 2-0. "Our guys just didn't come to play today," stated Coach Bob Durocher.

Rochester used goals from Ben Cross and Nate Micklos plus a throughly dominating performance to hand the Saints their first loss of the season.

The Yellowjackets, who won all three matches in the first week (Alfred, Oswego, St. John Fisher), were ranked #14 in the first Division III poll of the season.

Control was achieved in midfield, led by Cross, Jeremy Goice, Damien Hallatt, and Brian Tuohy. Gary Stom was a threat all evening long. He was denied three bonafide chances thanks to a series of acrobatic saves by SLU goalkeeper Jordan James.

The match was just over a minute old when a ball came to Stom at the top of the box. His rocket, ticketed for just under the bar, was punched over the bar for a corner kick by James. The corner was sent to the back post to Springer and his open header thudded against the crossbar.

Seven minutes later, Maltzman dummied the ball past a defender on right wing. He crossed it to a wide-open Stom in the area and Stom's right-footed blast for the low right corner was saved brilliantly by James.

Stom earned his revenge before the game was 20 minutes old. He dashed down right wing with the ball and lofted it near the top of the area. It came to Cross who flicked a header into the low left corner of the goal at 19:31.

The Saints pressed for an equalizer, looking to hit striker Steve Watson as a target man. They were especially dangerous in the offensive end thanks to long 'flip' throw-ins by Philip Koshi. Springer drew the assignment of Watson and marked him well.

A minute into the second half, James denied Stom again. The Yellowjacket forward burst down right wing and curled into the box with a teammate streaking down the middle. James came to the near post. When Stom hit the ball, it dipped sharply towards the net, rather than floating as a cross. James was able to back-pedal and punch it clear.

The Yellowjackets added a crucial insurance goal with just over 10 minutes to play. Stom saved a ball in the left corner and pushed it along the touchline to Matt Sulkin. He lofted it into the box where Micklos headed it into the low right corner.

For the Yellowjackets, Jack Burgasser made one save to pick up his first complete-game shutout.

The Saints play Saturday, September 11th at Geneseo at 7:00 p.m. "We need to bounce back tomorrow," added Coach Durocher.

SAINTS MOVE UP IN RANKINGS

The St. Lawrence Men’s Soccer Team will enter this weekend ranked 5th nationally. The NSCAA/adidas national rankings committee has also named the Saints the best team in the Northeast with a 1st place ranking in their region.

St. Lawrence plays Friday, September 10th, at Rochester at 7:00 p.m. They will face Geneseo on Saturday, September 11th at 3:00 p.m.

PAIR OF SAINTS COMPETING
ON WORLD SCALE

Former Saints Jamal Ballantyne and Greg Sutton are currently competing for St. Vincent & The Grenadines and the Canadian National Team, respectively. Ballantyne and St. Vincent & The Grenadines will compete against St. Kitts & Nevis Friday, September 10th. They will then play Mexico on Wednesday, September 22. Greg Sutton is in the Canadian World Cup Team Player Pool. Canada will play Honduras Saturday, October 9th, and Costa Rica Wednesday, October 13th.