Box Score BETHANY, W. Va. – The Franciscan men's soccer team got out to a quick start against Alfred State and battled to a 3-1 victory to wrap up the Fuzzy Williams Tournament, hosted by Bethany, Sunday afternoon.
The Barons didn't waste any time or opportunities as they were awarded a corner kick just 44 seconds into the first half. Senior captain Joseph Duren lofted a ball in front of the net and junior Leo Herrmann headed it home for his sixth goal of the season. Herrmann currently leads the AMCC with seven goals on the year.
"We really came out on fire for the first time today," remarked head coach Christian Bobak. "It was great to see the guys come out quick and ready to play. We were a little bit more used to playing on turf and it definitely helped."
Duran, the current conference assist leader, once again lofted the perfect ball into the box for Herrmann off a corner kick in the 21st minute and Herrmann was able to bury the ball in the top right corner to give the Barons a 2-0 lead.
"Joe Duran definitely led us once again. He sets the pace for the rest of the team and today the team really kept it up the entire game. IT was a good team effort win today and we played at a pretty high level," said coach Bobak.
Though the Barons did not score again in the first half, they kept the pressure on the Alfred State defense and carried a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Pioneers pressed the Baron backline and tested new goalie, John Bolster. The sophomore was up to the challenge and made a pair of incredible diving saves in the first 10 minutes of the second half to keep Alfred State off the board.
"John played an excellent game in net today. He has been preparing well all week and all year."
The Pioneers were able to break up the shut out as Albert Senyah Breezy took a pass from Cooper Weinman from the right side of the net to cut the Baron lead to 2-1 with just under 12 minutes to play.
Senior Joe Francis pushed the Baron lead back to two goals with his second goal of the season after collecting the ball from about 15 yards out and drilling it past the goalie to his left.
The Pioneers led the Barons in shots, 14-10, and held a slim 8-7 advantage in corner kicks.
The Barons return to action next Saturday when they host Bethany (W. Va.) at 4pm.
