Box Score STEUBENVILLE – The Franciscan men's soccer team had a lot to celebrate on Saturday as the Barons defeated Pitt.-Bradford 3-0 on Senior Day. With their three goals, the Barons set the program's single-season point and goal record and head coach Christian Bobak became the all-time winningest men's soccer coach at Franciscan.
On the season, the Barons have 39 goals through 13 games, breaking the previous team mark of 37 in 18 games. Franciscan also has 105 points, the most in the AMCC this season so far, as 15 players have registered at least one point this season. The win also improves the Barons to 9-2-2 on the year and is Bobak's 19th win as head coach of the Barons, the most from any coach in the men's program history.
Sophomore Ian Baldau continues to impress in his second year as a Baron as he got Franciscan out to a 1-0 lead in the 28th minutes. After a Bradford foul just past midfield awarded the Barons a free kick, junior Leo James lofted the ball into the box and Baldau came in running from the top of the box and headed the ball inside the far post for the FUS lead.
Baldau and sophomore Kyle Hames combined for a pair of great scoring opportunities just five minutes later but Hames' shot ricocheted off of the post and Baldau was turned away by the UPB goalie.
The Panthers had one of their best scoring chances in the 33rd minute Ugwunna Amadi's shot was stopped by senior keeper Thomas Dosedel to keep the shutout intact.
The Barons held onto the 1-0 lead as the teams went into halftime.
Shortly after the second half began, the Barons put pressure on the Panther back line and were attacking as the Barons drew a foul just outside the 18-yard box to set up a Baron free kick. Senior Leo Herrmann rocketed his shot over the Panther keeper's hands as the ball hit the crossbar and came down over the goal line for his 13th goal of the season and the 2-0 Baron lead.
Six minutes later, senior Dominic Vander Woude drew a foul inside the box to give the Barons a shot from the penalty spot. The sure-footed Herrmann took the kick and beat the keeper to push the Baron lead to 3-0 in the 54th minute.
The Barons out-shot the Panthers 7-4 over the final 36 minutes and Dosedel made a pair of saves to seal the 3-0 win in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference action.
Following the match, senior Patrick Canavan was named the Man of the Match for his stellar play on the Baron backline and his ability to limit the Panther scoring chances.
Prior to the game, the Barons honored their eight graduating players. The group of eight have amassed 29 wins in four years, led the Barons to their first appearance in the AMCC tournament in 2016, and have individually rewritten the Baron record book. Celebrated this year were Herrmann, Dosedel, Vander Woude, Cuyler Ledyard, John Bolster, Canavan, John Monsour and Christopher Lann.
The Barons hit the road on Tuesday as they head to Mount Aloysius for a 2pm AMCC contest in Cresson, Pa.
