Bonnies ready for semifinal matchup with regular season champ Dayton

Mel Mahler and Chris Leko Interview

KINGSTON, N.Y. - After an hour of scoreless play, junior Chris Leko headed the ball home to give the St. Bonaventure men's soccer team a 1-0 win against third-seeded Fordham in the opening round of the Atlantic 10 tournament on Thursday evening.

The win is the first-ever postseason win for the Bonnies. St. Bonaventure improves to 10-8 on the season to notch the first double-digit wins since the 1999 season. Fordham ends the season 9-7-3.

“After the difficult loss to Dayton this past Sunday, I believed our best soccer was yet to be played. I didn't mean from a technical stand point, but about finding a way to win big games,” said head coach Mel Mahler. “Tonight was just that we played well enough to win. We go a lead and protected it. I am excited for the players and the potential they have as a team.”

Senior Joe Miller teed the ball from around midfield off a Rams foul and set the ball to Leko. As the keeper came off his line, the Mississauga, Ontario, native flicked it over Fordham keeper Ryan Meara and secured the Bonnies semifinal appearance. The goal was the first for Leko this season.

St. Bonaventure came out energized in the second half notching seven out of the 11 total shots in the second half. The controlled the offensive zone, edging the Rams in corner kicks 8-2. Junior keeper David Flynn picked up two saves and his sixth season shutout.

The Bonnies play regular season champion Dayton tomorrow in a 5 p.m. contest at Rhode Island. Live stats and video are available at the Atlantic 10 Tournament Central.