ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Back-to-back goals from
Rafael Pereira and
Luca Nicastro lifted the St. Bonaventure University men's soccer team past Bucknell, 2-0, Friday evening at the Marra Athletics Complex.
The Bonnies were able to strike first in the 22nd minute when Pereira dribbled to the left side of the field before unleashing a curling shot from just outside the box into the top right corner of the net, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Just a minute and six seconds later, the Bonnies were back on the offensive.
Pereira once again found himself in a scoring area, finding Peter Massaquoi who one-touched it to Nicastro. The senior midfielder punched home the Bonnies' second goal of the game and the first of the season for Nicastro.
The Bison (0-3-0) had a chance to cut the deficit in half off a set piece in the 37th minute, but Bonnies goalkeeper Jules Dechert made a lunging save to his left hand side to keep the Bucknell off the scoreboard.
The Bonnies (1-2-0) looked to add to their lead in the second half when Keegan Dawson's shot was blocked inside the box in the 58th minute.
Pereira finished the night with three points and three shots while Nicastro added a pair of shots.
Dechert earned his first shutout as a Bonnie, making five saves on the evening.
The Bonnies got a spark of the bench Friday evening with the return of 2021 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie striker Matthew Wrobel who missed the first two games due to injury. The sophomore played 39 minutes in his season debut.
Bona's remains at home to host Binghamton Monday, Sept. 5 with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m.
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