LATROBE, Pa. – Trouble finishing and adjusting to injury-related lineup changes determined FUS men's soccer's loss to St. Vincent College with a final score 5-1.

St. Vincent wasted no time with the ball, scoring a goal one minute and 44 seconds in the first half. Their immediate lead put a damper on the game that Franciscan seemed unable to shake off for the remaining 88 minutes, especially when the Bearcats pulled ahead 3-1 by the end of the first half.

"What's happening to us is when we give up that early goal like that, we start chasing the game," head coach Ward Rogers said, adding that St. Vincent was able to find and monopolize on his team's weak spots, particularly due to the absence of several key Baron midfielders from injury.

"The missing players are people we really count on, who have been playing this system for a couple of years," Rogers said. "It's asking a lot from people who are in their first year of the system to have to step in and play for those players who we usually play the ball through. We're working very hard at developing chemistry on the field, it's just going to take time and practice for the newer guys to be as comfortable as the guys who are injured."

Despite adjustments, senior Brian Bobak, who has been playing left back the past few games, was able to step into a midfield position and energize the offense with several scoring attempts. One of those attempts resulted in the Baron's lone goal, a header assisted by a cross from freshman forward Leo Herrmann.

"Brian had an excellent game," Rogers said. "This is the third time this year out of five games that we've had to ask him to step up and play a different position. He's done a fantastic job of shifting roles and still having a great game."

Along with Bobak, senior midfielder Jesse Saltarelli also refocused the Baron efforts with six shots and two shots on goal.

"Jesse had a strong game. He's really having a very good senior season," Rogers said, adding that first-half goalie Edward Huber also enabled the Barons to stay in the game longer with four saves. "Sometimes it's just on our defenders to clear the ball. When we're not clearing the ball it just makes it harder on Eddie."

Despite these performances, the men were unable to match St. Vincent goal for goal as the FUS offense struggled to finish scoring opportunities. Rogers said this was due to a lack of confidence as the team searched for the perfect shot.

"In the first couple games of the season, we were just shooting the ball and playing relaxed," Rogers said. "Now when we're behind we get a little tight."

In order to regain confidence, Rogers said the Barons will take the next few days to work on shooting, holding the ball in tight spaces, and pressuring the ball a little higher up the field. They will prepare for their next game, a home match on Wednesday, September 10, at 5pm against Hiram College.

"The guys are trying really hard and trying to represent the school well, we just need to find our sweet spot again," Rogers said.