Men’s Soccer Stifled By Kean in Home-Opener

Patchogue, NY| The St. Joseph's College men's soccer team were forced to wait at least a game longer for their first victory of 2015, as they suffered a 5-1 loss to Kean University at home on Wednesday night. As a result, St. Joseph's falls to 0-3-0 on the year, while Kean improves to 4-1-0.

The Cougars came out strong in the opening minutes, but the Golden Eagles responded well, generating a couple of shots through a fairly uneventful opening 15 minutes. Kean then collected five shots and four corners between the 25th and 32nd minute before finally breaking through for the game's first goal in the 34th minute. Forward Sevag Kherlopian drifted wide and was played onside by the St. Joseph's defense and eventually pounced on a ball before swiftly chipping it over keeper Avery Gomez and into the back of the net for his third goal of the season.

The two sides rode the 1-0 match into halftime, but Kean held steeper in advantages in shots (11-4) and corners (7-0). Gomez was forced into making two saves in the opening frame.

Kherlopian would notch his second of the evening in the 57th minute, when teammate Robert Barrera curled in a corner that the forward headed past Gomez deep in the box. Three minutes later, Kherlopian would tally a hat trick-marker after Michael Vargas played him along the left flank. Kherlopian pulled into the middle and curled a shot upper-90, leaving Gomez helpless.

The Golden Eagles would respond in the 62nd minute, when a failed corner found the feet of Brian O'sullivan at the top of the box. The junior defender slid the ball to a nearby Gaetano Innamorato, who fired a shot that bounced off the keeper's back and into the net.

Forward Alex Guadagno had an opportunity to draw the game back within one goal in the 65th minute, but the senior's attempt rang off the crossbar and out behind the keeper.

Instead, Kean would pad their lead, when Barrera cooly slid a set-piece ball straight into the box for a streaking Vargas, who slotted the ball past Gomez in the 72th minute. Kean's Tom Bogert would notch the game's last tally in the 79th minute to ensure the 5-1 victory for the guests.

Gomez was credited with six saves on the evening in contrast to Kean keeper Chidi Iloka's one. Innamorato and O'Sullivan's goal and assist were the first points of the season for both players. Midfielder Dan Cheeseman had a good showing, providing strong support on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

The Golden Eagles will be back in action this coming weekend, when they welcome FDU-Florham, Stevenson and Randolph-Macon to Patchogue for the annual Gary Smith Invitational. St. Joseph's will play Randolph-Macon at 12:00 PM on Saturday, September 12, and Stevenson at 2:00 PM on Sunday. All games will be played at Danzi Stadium and the Outdoor Field Complex.