PITTSBURGH, PA. - Senior midfielder Emmett O'Connor tallied his 23rd career assist to give him the all-time assist record as the St. Bonaventure men's soccer team (4-0) defeat the Howard Bison (0-4) by a score of 5-1 in a Sunday afternoon matinee at the Duquesne Invitational. 

Number 22 O'Connor surpassed Wally Senk today with his 23rd career assist. He would make his presence known from the first time he played for the Bonnies. In his freshman year he record a career-high 17 points with seven assists. He would follow up his stellar freshman season with six assists in the next two seasons. Coming into his senior year he was currently in third place all-time with 19 assists, Within four games of the 2013 season he would tally four assists making him the all-time leader.

The Bonnies were able to get on the board first after Steve Carcaterro and O'Connor worked together to find Nicholas Perillo in front of the net where he could redirect it for his third goal of the season.  Perillo has now surpassed his goal total from the previous three years in the first four games of the 2013 campaign. This is the first full year he has been strictly playing on the front line for the Brown and White. 

Howard responded only eight minutes later off an error of SBU goalkeeper Jeremy Figler. Junior  midfielder Rahman Alarape brought the ball down field where he drilled a shot off the post. A misplay from Figler by not being able to clear the ball allowed Raynard Storey to head it into the net. 

Despite heading into the half with a score of 1-1, Bonaventure dominated the first half of the game by leading the Bison in shots and shots on goal. The Bonnies recorded nine shots with five of them being on target requiring the Howard goalkeeper to make four saves. The Bison were only able to get off six shots with one on target. 

In the second half the Bonnies offense came alive with four goals happening at the 72nd, 73rd, 85th and 86th. 

At the 72nd mark, St. Bonaventure was given the opportunity after a penalty by the Howard defender inside the box. Brad Vanino lined at the 12 yard mark which led to him to send it into the back of the net for his first goal on the season. 

Only a minute later the Vanino would double his goal total on the year. Kolby Banker would get the assist on the goal after taking the ball onto the right hand side of the goalkeeper where he would shoot. The ball then ricocheted off the keeper to be controlled by Vanino where he would put it away for his second goal of the game. 

The Bonnies would continue the trend of doubling their goal total on the year when Brad Beaumont would be able to push the ball passed the line for his second goal on the year and the Brown and White's four goal of the game. Beaumont received the pass from Carcaterro right in front of the goal where all he would have to do is tap it in. 

St. Bonaventure would continue to add on to their lead less than a minute later with a goal coming off the feet of Perillo. Vanino took control of the ball where he would find Perillo for him to score his second goal of the game and Vanino's fourth assist in the 2013 campaign. 

After the game, Coach Mel Mahler said "Great day for Bona Soccer. It took us awhile to sort things out against Howard but we continued to attack their deep back four and eventually found ways to get in behind and create some dangerous scoring opportunities."

He continued to speak highly of his offense by adding "Emmett and Brad displayed some special attacking skills to break down their defense. Were scoring goals and that's exciting to see. 

Coach Mahler finished up by saying "Overall an excellent team effort but we know we have work to do for we haven't put a good 90 minute of soccer together yet."

The Bonnies jump back into action next weekend when they hit the road to take on Delaware and NJIT. 

2013 Duquesne Invitational All-Tournament Team

Emmett O'Connor (MVP)               St. Bonaventure

Brad Vanino                                        St. Bonaventure

Jeremy Figler                                      St. Bonaventure

Steve Carcaterro                               St. Bonaventure

Sam Frymier                                        Duquesne

Colin Phillips                                     Duquesne

Thomas DeVillardi                             Duquesne

James Nero                                         Incarnate Word

Joe Brown                                            Incarnate Word

Mario Martin                                      Howard

Donny Felix                                         Howard