Franciscan 7, Westminster 20

Franciscan Starters 
Sam Smith, Andrew Wojcik, Joseph Redmond, Jeofre Strandhagen, Luke Likoudis, Samuel Marshall, Dominic Scordino, Michael Francis, Richard Vale II, & Goalkeeper - Fabian Onativia 

Westminster Starters
Grover, Mullen, Fleshman, Meckler, Podgorski, Rush, Zaferopolos, Schwab, Abate, & Goalkeeper - Millard

How It Happened 
    With 40mph gusts ripping through the hilltop field at Trinity Health System Field made it difficult to stand in place. The designated flag bearers that customarily take the field for the Barons impressively held their own through the wind. Chances are after that jog and holding onto the flags no further warm-ups were needed. 
    The high winds led to a messy game riddled with turnovers from both teams. Quick turnovers in the midfield off long passes creates a lot of advantageous open opportunities as teams are trying to substitute and get caught off guard. 
    The Barons held the Titans scoreless for most of the first period. In the last four minutes, those quick turnovers in the midfield led to a barrage of Titan goals before the close of the quarter. Down 4-0 in the second quarter, Nicholas Sando and Gavin Cook managed to find the back of the net. After Cook's goal the Barons found themselves within striking distance and only down 5-2. However, a scoring drought ensued. The Titans scored 6 unanswered goals to go up 11-2 before Sando and Dominic Scordino scored back-to-back goals. The Titan's answered the brief Baron run with another 7 goal run. The Barons ran some good offense late and tallied three more goals before the finish, but the hole was too big. 
    Today's loss is only their second of the season, but their first game in PAC play, so the Barons begin conference play this year 0-1.

Inside the Numbers 
-Gavin Cook scored 2 goals
-Onativia had a staggering 21 saves which places him in the top 10 in Baron history of saves in one game
-For the second game in a row, Vale II led the Barons in caused turnovers with 3
-Tanner Lien led the Barons with ground balls with 6

Up Next 
Franciscan will remain at home to take on Bethany on Saturday, April 1st. It will be Senior Day for the Barons with a 7:00 p.m. start time at Trinity Health System Field. The Barons are 3-8 all-time against the Bison, but they were able to beat them last season in overtime at their place. Dominic Scordino scored the game-winning goal last season to give Franciscan the 9-8 win. 

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