Sept. 8, 2010

Box Score

BOSTON, Mass. - The Emmanuel College Men's Soccer Team celebrated the team's home opener with a 2-1 win over visiting Elms College on Wednesday night. The non-conference match played at Emmanuel's Roberto Clemente Field featured both teams vying for their first win of the 2010 season. The opening eight minutes of play saw two quick goals and the Saints and Blazers played the majority of the contest knotted at 1-all. Emmanuel netted the game-winner early in the second half and the Saints came away with their first win of the season. The win improved Emmanuel's record to 1-2 on the year, while Elms dropped to 0-2 overall.

The Blazers came out strong in the opening minutes of the first half, passing well and maintaining possession until the Saints' defense took over. Senior Johnathan Benevides (Lakeville, Mass.) led the defense, holding the Blazers to 8 shots all game.

In the 5th minute, the Saints charged down the field on a strong attack. Sophomore forward Kevin Shirley (Madison, Conn.), who continued his excellent play this season, put a ball through the penalty area to Ivan Barrera (Millis, Mass.) who buried a shot to the left post. This was Barrera's first goal of the season.

The Blazers struck back quickly, getting a corner and a free kick in their attacking half before netting a goal in the 8th minute. Elms' equalizer was notched by junior forward Sean Moylan (Chicopee, Mass.) with an assist coming from freshman Adam O'Grady (Somers, Conn.).

Emmanuel's senior keeper Carlos Perez (Boca Raton, Fla.) played a stellar game in net, with 5 saves, as well as a few clutch stops against the rushing Blazer offense. The Saints controlled the ball well in the first half, with long possessions and smart passing, spreading the ball around.

The Saints went ahead early in the second stanza and never looked back. A free kick was taken by freshman Kevin Esposito (Gales Ferry, Conn.) from 40 yards out, right to a leaping Allan Parrelli (Reading, Mass.) at the left post, who headed it on to the back of the net. Parrelli, a freshman forward, showed he is ready to step up with his play tonight. The Saints poured the pressure on, giving themselves 5 more scoring chances by the 66th minute, the best of which was a free kick leading to a header off the crossbar by Patrick Sheldon (Saco, Maine).

Parrelli's goal held up as the game-winner and the Saints pulled out the 2-1 victory. By the end of regulation, the Saints had outshot the Blazers 12-8, with 8 of the Saints' shots coming on goal. Elms junior goalie Ryan Sullivan (Agawam, Mass.) took the loss for the Blazers, going the full 90 minutes in net and making 4 saves.

With their first win of the season under their belts, the Saints will prepare take on Suffolk University, their first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent this weekend. The game will be played on Saturday (9/11) at Dilboy Stadium in Somerville, Mass.