Box Score BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – The Franciscan men's soccer team battled Geneva for 110 minutes, but the two teams had to settle for a draw as the final horn sounded with the score knotted at 1-1, Monday evening.
After being held scoreless for the first 71 minutes of action, the Baron offense found a spark. After a Geneva penalty set up a free kick for freshman JP Bobak, junior Mark Fioramonti put a ball on net but it was deflected back into play. Sophomore Ian Baldau got a touch on it and put it back on goal, this time by the Geneva goalie to tie the game 1-1 in the 73rd minute.
Geneva had its chances as a go-ahead goal but the Baron back line held strong and kept the score tied. With 2:38 to play, Liam O'Halloran put the ball on target but senior keeper Thomas Dosedel turned him away. Abel Carleton also got a shot off with 20 seconds to play but sophomore Joseph Leonardi helped his goalie out with a defensive save for the Barons. Bobak got the last shot of regulation off with just three seconds to play but the ball went high and the teams' headed into extra time.
Geneva got the first shot off in overtime but Baldau and John Monsour made sure to keep the Golden Tornadoes on their toes with a pair of shots in a matter of 38 seconds. Geneva came right back with a shot but the Franciscan Man of the Match, Dominic Vander Woude cleared it out to keep the game tied. Geneva posted the last three shots of the first overtime but the Franciscan defense kept the game going.
Neither team could get a shot off in the final 10 minutes of action as the Barons battled to their first draw of the season.
"At times I thought we looked really good," commented head coach Christian Bobak. "But there were times I thought we looked a little tired. But overall I am really proud of the boys and how the battled the entire game. This was a good test for us and I think we did well. Geneva is a quality team and I think we are as well; we are a team that looks to get better every day."
The Golden Tornadoes just out to a quick lead as O'Halloran scored just 5:43 into action as he connected on a pass from Kevin Pasho.
"That first goal was definitely a wakeup call," continued Coach Bobak. "It was great to see them respond and battle."
Dosedel finished the day with four saves in the draw as the Baron backline kept him protected from shots.
"Dom was our Man of the Match today," continued Coach Bobak. "While the whole back line was great, Dom really stepped up and led us as a captain should."
Bobak led the Barons with four shots while Baldau and Tim Poiry each had two.
"Ian has really stepped it up this year. He wins everything in the middle and has been great for us – we are certainly glad he's not in Austria this semester," remarked Coach Bobak.
The Barons host Washington & Jefferson on Wednesday in their final non-conference game of the season before welcoming Hilbert to Steubenville on Saturday to open AMCC play.
"We are going to rest up after this one and get ready for Washington & Jefferson," said Bobak. "We ha have a lot of respect for [the Presidents] but we are going to come in and play our game and play with confidence. It's our last game before conference, so we're excited."
