ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Freshman Emmett O'Connor scored the game's first goal 64 seconds in and then tallied the game-winner in the second half to lead the men's soccer team to a 3-1 win in Atlantic 10 Conference action this afternoon at McGraw-Jennings Field.
The Bonnies (9-7-0, 4-3-0 A-10) were able to capitalize on a free kick opportunity from just outside the corner of the GW (2-13-0, 0-6-0 A-10) box in the second minute. Freshman Brad Vanino took the kick and centered a low, driven ball to O'Connor, who one-timed it past keeper Brendan Lafferty for a 1-0 lead.
The Colonials responded just over 10 minutes later when Seth Rudolph converted a cross from Jeff Eisenbud for his team-leading sixth goal of the campaign.
The score remained knotted until the 74th minute when O'Connor once again found the back of the net. Senior defender David DiNardo started the play by making a run down the left wing before centering the ball to a cutting Chris Leko. Leko fed the ball across the mouth of the goal, where O'Connor finished his team-leading fifth goal of the year.
The Bonnies got the insurance they were looking for in the 88th minute when freshman Eric Smolarek found a slashing Fabrizio Savarino, who tucked the ball neatly between the left post and a lunging Lafferty.
"It wasn't an easy win for us," head coach Mel Mahler said of his team's fourth conference win. "George Washington is struggling this year, but I thought they played a very spirited match. It took us a while to figure out how we could get in behind their defense, break them down and get the winning goal."
That winning goal from O'Connor propels St. Bonaventure's A-10 point total to 12, and into sole possession of third place – pending game results tonight. The Brown and White was previously in a six-way tie for fourth place, with the top six teams advancing to the conference tournament Nov. 11-13 in Charlotte, N.C.
The team will look to add to its point total on Sunday when it faces the Richmond Spiders. Heading into their game tonight against Duquesne, the Spiders have 9 points, and with a win will once again pull even with the Bonnies. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from McGraw-Jennings Field.
Game Notes: Fabrizio Savarino started for the first time since Oct. 1 against Canisius as he has been sidelined with a hamstring injury … Kevin Okapal played against the school he will be attending next year as he will continue his post-graduate academic endeavors at George Washington Medical School … the Bonnies are now 6-1 in games following losses this year … St. Bonaventure outshot GW, 22-12, and out-cornered the Colonials, 7-1.
