ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure University men's soccer team celebrated Senior Day with a 2-0 victory over La Salle Saturday afternoon, earning a crucial three points in the Atlantic 10 standings.
The Bonnies (6-5-3, 2-3-1 A-10) jumped ahead early on in the contest in the 19th minute when Kenzo Brito found a pacey Rafael Pereira down the left side of the field. Pereira made a cut back into his left foot and curled in his second goal of the season into the top right corner of the net.
The two sides played an even first 45 minutes with the Bonnies narrowly outshooting the Explorers, 6-5.
In the 80th minute Rashid Aroza looked to put the Bonnies up by two goals but his shot was saved by the La Salle goalkeeper.
Aroza unleashed a second strike in the second half, this one ringing off the crossbar, but Dean Mercer was there to collect the rebound and punch home his first goal of the season in the 83rd minute, giving the Bonnies a two-goal advantage.
Jules Dechert was stout in net, earning his fourth shutout of the season and making three saves in net.
Aroza paced the Bonnies with four shots while Daniel Helle, Umechi Akuazaoku, Bo Drath and Brito registered two shots each.
Prior to Saturday's game the Bonnies honored graduating student-athletes Clay Smith, Rafael Pereira, Haji Shee, David Cubillos, Jules Dechert, Michael Kohl, Marius Dahl and Mitch Wambach.
The Bonnies are back in action Tuesday, Oct. 17 when they travel to take on Bucknell. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m.
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