Box Score STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – The Franciscan University men's soccer team dropped a tough 3-1 decision to visiting Pitt-Greensburg, Wednesday afternoon.
Pitt-Greensburg built an early 2-0 lead as the Bobcats executed set plays well in the first 45. Austin Lonzo scored the game's first goal as he finished a corner kick by Sean Baxendell to give UPG a 1-0 lead early in the first half. Baxendell then finished off a save penalty kick attempt to give the visitors a 2-0 lead in half time.
The Barons came out of the break with new legs and ready to score. FUS put the first three balls of the half on net but could not get by the UPG goalie. After a tough battle at the midfield, it was the Bobcats who found the back of the net as they took a 3-0 lead with 36:11 left to play.
The Barons made important adjustments at halftime and controlled the possession better in the final 45. "In the first half, we came out and played tentative. There is no reason for us to play timid at all," remarked head coach Wade Rogers. "We were getting sloppy in the midfield and came out in the second and started to play our game."
With just over 10 minutes to play, sophomore Leo Herrmann broke up the potential shutout with this 17th goal of the season. He received a nice pass from senior Daniel Binette and dribbled around the defense to line up a shot to the left corner.
"In the second half, we were able to get good touches on the ball and get it into the spaces we wanted to. We had a better handle on how we wanted to play," remarked coach Rogers. That was evident in the stats as the Barons out-shot the Bobcats 16-10 in the second half while they trailed 8-7 in the first.
"Looking forward, we can now just control our own destiny. These final two games are must win games for us. I need to do a better job preparing us mentally."
The Barons return action on Saturday as they travel to Buffalo, N.Y. to take on D'Youville at 1:00 pm.
