GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Franciscan men's soccer team needed just one goal to decide the season opener and that goal came from senior captain Leo Herrmann to life the Barons to a 1-0 win over Thiel, Saturday afternoon.
After 28:49 of scoreless soccer, Herrmann drew a foul inside the box and was awarded a penalty kick. Herrmann, who went 3-for-3 on PKs last year, was sure footed once again and finished to his left as the keeper dove to the right and gave the Barons the 1-0 lead.
"I am really happy with our captain leadership right now," remarked head coach Christian Bobak on his senior leaders. "Leo is really stepping up and leading us vocally and on the field. All of our captains, too, are being vocal on the bench and on the field. Today was a team victory."
After an offside was called against Franciscan, Thiel created a scoring chance for itself, but the Baron back line had other ideas. Senior keeper Tom Dosedel made a play on the ball which drew him off his line but the Franciscan defense was there to save a shot attempt by Zachery Oliver for the Tomcats and keep the shutout intact.
Dosedel did his part as well to open the year with a shutout and was named the Man of the Match by the coaching staff following the game. Dosedel saved all three shots on target and was a leader in the backfield.
"Tom was really solid for us today," complimented Coach Bobak. "He really communicated well and came up with some really key saves."
JP Bobak led the Barons with five shots, three on goal, while Patrick Canavan and Ian Baldau were the other Barons able to get a shot off today. While none of his shots went in, three of the Bobak's five shots were on target, which is encouraging for Coach Bobak.
"JP had a bunch of shots, which is encouraging for what he is going to bring to this team," remarked Coach Bobak.
Thiel out-shot the Barons 10-8 and held a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks. "There was not a lot of consistency in our play today, and we need to settle in, but we have been working on developing our offense and I'm confident that will begin to really take shape. We have a lot of guys that really stepped us for us today, filling roles left by players out today. A lot of younger guys gave quality minutes on the field today."
According to Coach Bobak, Ian Baldau won probably 15 headers out of the air and was a standout player with Chris Lann as well. Freshmen Sebastian Koehler and Gustavo Gutierrez gave quality minutes for the Barons and helped the full team win today.
The Barons return home on Tuesday when they host Waynesburg in a 4:30pm non-conference game.
