New Era for Golden Eagles Starts with Comeback Victory

Patchogue, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's men's soccer (1-0) team started the next chapter in their program's history with a comeback 2-1 win over Lehman College (0-2) on Saturday afternoon.  The season opening victory came as the team played its first-ever home contest at the new Danzi Stadium on the grounds of the St. Joseph's Outdoor Athletic Complex, which opened this past March.  The game was also the first for rookie head coach Tim Trava, as he took the reins from the now retired Gary Smith, who coached all 26 years in the program's history.

Starring for the Golden Eagles was 2011 Skyline Conference Player of the Year and ECAC Metro Offensive Player of the Year, John Dettori (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore), scoring both of the team's goals within six minutes of each other late in the second half. 

The senior striker knocked one unassisted past the keeper in the 78^th minute to bring the Eagles even at one with the Lightning.  The tiebreaking tally came off a Fabio Alves (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem East) pass in the 84^th minute.

St. Joseph's outshot Lehman 14-10 (11-1 in the second half), but trailed 1-0 at the half.  Oumar Niang scored the Lightening's lone goal in the 29^th minute.

The team announced before the contest that the First Annual Gary Smith Men's Soccer Tournament will be held during the 2013 season at the SJC Outdoor Complex.  Details on the tournament and donations can be found at www.sjcny.edu/coachsmith .

St. Joseph's returns to the field this Tuesday for another home game with a team from the CUNY Conference, York College.  Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.