STEUBENVILLE – The Franciscan men's soccer team earned its first win of the season Friday night as the Barons defeated Bethany, 2-0, on the campus of Franciscan University.
 
The Barons came out quick looking for their first goal of the season as senior Mark Fioramonti got the first shot of the game off just 1:11 into action. He shot went just wide right, leaving the Barons still looking for that first goal.
 
After junior Brian Gaughan got his first save of the game off a Bethany corner, the Baron offense went to work putting pressure on the Bethany defense. After 16:18 of action, junior Sebastian Koehler drew a foul just outside of the box and set up a free kick for Franciscan. Sophomore Nick Miller was appointed to take the kick and drilled the ball with his right foot into the bottom right corner of the net, just out of the reach of the diving goalie.
 
Franciscan maintained its 1-0 lead despite three more good scoring chances for the Barons. With just under 14 minutes to play before the break, senior Jake Rigaud had a great angle at the left corner with the goalie out of position but a Bethany defender dove at the last minute to save Rigaud's shot and keep the deficit at just one.
 
The Barons needed just 10 minutes of action into the second half to push their lead to 2-0 as Miller once again drilled home a free kick right outside the box. This time, he took it square with the net and was able to split the wall built of Bison defenders.
 
Gaughan was perfect once again in net for the Barons as he stopped all five balls that came his way. The back line in front of Gaughan was able to diffuse any good scoring opportunities for the Bison.
 
The Barons will have the rest of the weekend off before taking on Westminster next Wednesday in New Wilmington, PA at 7:30 pm.