BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Saint Leo men’s soccer team (8-3, 2-3 SSC) claimed a significant victory over Sunshine State Conference powerhouse Lynn University (7-4, 2-2 SSC), Tuesday afternoon from the McCusker Sports Complex in SSC action.
The Lions received a pair of second half goals from Edgar Herrera and Sebastian Bosch, while both Bruce Cutler and Herrera also found themselves on the score sheet with assists. The Lions were outshot, 18-13, but made the majority of their shots count as eight went on-goal. The Lions have now won two-straight over the Fighting Knights.
The first half was a physical battle, featuring 12 combined fouls and three yellow cards. Despite the physical play and the lack of goals on the scoreboard, each team was proficient enough to produce potential scoring opportunities at each other’s end.
Each ‘keeper was up to the task though, as Jake Hirst (7-3) collected two saves on four shots to keep the game scoreless over the first 45 minutes.
The Lions best opportunity came at the 22-minute mark when Cody Allen sent a blast from the top of the box that was snagged out of the air by Lynn ’keeper Alessandro Salvatore
Out of the halftime break, the Lions connected with the first goal of the game in the 60th-minute when Herrera blasted home his team-leading 11th tally of the year. The goal, which saw the ball deflected off a Lynn defender and past the ‘keeper, eventually went on to become the game-winner for the Lions, the third of Herrera’s young career. Cutler recorded the assist on the play.
The flurry did not stop there, as the 1-0 lead grew to 2-0 minutes later. Once again Herrera was in on the action, as a give-and-go pass inside the box found Bosch on the edge of the right wing. From there, Bosch settled the pass and struck it past the ‘keeper to increase the lead.
With the Lions doing their part of the offensive end, Saint Leo clamped down defensively. Hirst tied a career-high in saves with seven, while the defensive back four helped secure the team’s fifth shutout of 2010, despite 14 second half Lynn shots.
After today’s result, the Lions improved to 2-3 in the SSC, gaining a valuable three points. Lynn, on the other hand, falls to 2-2 in the conference and is now tied with Saint Leo for third place with six points.
Saint Leo will return to University Field on Saturday, October 16 to take on Sunshine State Conference challenger Nova Southeastern University. Kickoff for the SSC slate is set for 7:00 p.m. The Lions have taken two of the last three matches from the Sharks.
