FUS Men's Soccer Gets First Win of Season, Split in Season Opener Tourney

BUFFALO, NY - The Franciscan University of Steubenville men's soccer team opened up its 2008 season by playing in the inaugural Spartan Cup Classic hosted by D'Youville College in Buffalo, NY. After a disappointing loss in their first match on Saturday, the Barons went on to win their first game of the season against D'Youville on Sunday, 2-0.

In the opener, FUS fell to Morrisville State College, 3-0. Senior goalkeeper William Herrmann, a Catholic Central alumni and Wintersville native, made two saves for the Barons, who were out shot, 10-9. Shaman Mason scored a hat trick for the Mustangs, who would go on to win the tournament. Herrmann registered two saves in goal in his shutout of the host Spartans.

Sophomore Andrew Leonard of Dearborn, MI scored the first goal of the season for FUS on a corner kick at the 8:25 mark in the first half. Zeph Swope, a junior from Columbus, OH scored at 25:51 to give the Barons a solid lead for the first half and the remainder of the game. Swope's goal was assisted by Patrick Mahon.

Senior and team captain Mike Re from Philadelphia gave his thoughts after the weekend's events. He said the difference in the first game is that "we were down 3-0 going into the locker room. A lot of guys were down. But Coach gave us a talk that as Catholic men we need to show a lot of strength and heart. We listened and came out with a lot more energy. And, even though we lost, 3-0, I think we lost with a lot of dignity. We carried that energy into the second game."

FUS (1-1, 0-0) will look to carry on that energy in their home opener versus Waynesburg University on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. on the Franciscan University of Steubenville campus.