Franciscan 10 Alma 8

Franciscan Starters 
Landon Smith, Joseph Norton, Joseph James, Jeofre Strandhagen, Sam Smith, Gavin Cook, Dominic Miraglia, Joseph Redmond, Alexander Dhabliwala & Goalkeeper- Richard Vale II

How It Happened 
    The Barons opened up the 2024 season with a non-conference matchup against Alma College. They would make the long journey in from Michigan, as Steubenville would welcome them with windy and snowy conditions. The Barons would get the season off on the right foot with a 10-8 win over the Scots.

    Joseph James would get this one started well with a pair of goals to give the Barons the lead. Gavin Cook would add his first of the day before Alma would get on the board to set the score at 3-1 after 15 minutes of play. The Scots would pull to within one, but the Barons would answer again. James would net his third of the day, and then Cook would score on the man-up opportunity. The Scots would add two more goals before half, but then James would net his fourth goal to give the Barons a 6-4. Alma would add one goal in the final seconds to pull within one at the half.

    Alexander Dhabliwala would give the Barons some breathing room with a pair of goals in the first two minutes of the second half. Back-and-forth action would ensue as the defensive would be the star. Alma was able to tally a pair of goals to take a one goal deficit into the fourth quarter. Franciscan once again was able to pick up a timely goal. It would be Gavin Cook on a man-up opportunity netting his third of the day just two minutes into th fourth quarter. Joseph Norton would score his first of his collegiate career with two minutes left to put this one on ice, as the Barons held on to win 10-8.
    
Inside the Numbers 
- James led the Barons with four goals on 12 shots.
- James also had a team-high 10 ground balls.
- Richard Vale II had nine saves to pick up the win.
- Redmond caused five turnovers. 
- The Barons led for the entire game

Up Next 
Franciscan will continue their three game home stand to start the 2024 season next Saturday, as they host Hiram. The Barons are 2-6 all-time against the Terriers with a win against them last season. In that overtime win last season, Samuel Marshall netted three goals, including the game winner. 

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