LORETTO, Penn. - After compiling a seven-game unbeaten streak, the St. Francis Brooklyn men's soccer team suffered its first defeat since Sept. 10 on Sunday.
The Terriers looked to have equalized the game for a second time in 87th minute when Corrado Carbone put a rebound shot in the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed, and Saint Francis (PA) (SFU) clinched a 2-1 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Shots were at a premium in the first half, but freshman goalkeeper Alex Mclachlan kept the Red Flash off the board with a pair of key saves in the closing minutes.
St. Francis recorded its best chance of the first half in the final two minutes. As the clocked ticked down to halftime, Michele Signorelli crossed the ball into a crowded 18-yard box where the ball bounced to Ramchwy Saint Vil, who rung the post with a shot into the corner of the goal frame.
With under 30 minutes remaining, SFU took the lead on a breakaway chance by Milan Djajic. The goal sparked an offensive energy for the Terriers as they hunted for an equalizer.
St. Francis found life in the final 20 minutes as Oskar Ihlen sent a ball into the box destined for the back post from the left side. Billy Pavlou was able to redirect the ball back across the box to a waiting Khaled Abdella and Signorelli, with Abdella heading the ball in while Signorelli attempted a bicycle kick.
The goal is Abdella's fifth of the season and his first since Sept. 25 against Howard.
SFU answered back in the 85th minute as a smart pass opened up a 2-on-0 attack for the Red Flash, and Djajic finished for his second goal of the afternoon.
The Terriers looked to answer back for a second time in the match in the final five minutes. Signorelli was dangerous, firing two shots from inside 18 yards, with the second making it to the keeper. As the keeper attempted to corral the ball, Carbone poked it from his reach for what the Terriers believe was the game-tying goal. Officials convened and determined the goal would be disallowed after brief discussion; a decision that all but confirmed a 2-1 win for the Red Flash.
TEAM LEADERS
The Terriers' 23 shots are their most this season against Division I opponent. (St. Francis recorded 41 shots against Pratt Institute on Oct. 4.)
Alec McLachlan recorded three saves on nine shots faced on Sunday. The outing is the first time this season McLachlan has allowed more than one goal.
Abdella's fifth goal of the season places him in a tie for third place in the Northeast Conference.
NEXT UP: St. Francis kicks off its season-ending homestead against conference leaders Fairleigh Dickinson on Oct. 23. Kick-off is scheduled for Oct. 23 at 1:00 p.m. and the game will stream live on NEC Front Row.
