ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure University men's soccer team fell to Saint Francis (PA), 3-0, Thursday evening in the season opener at the Marra Athletics Complex.
The Red Flash took the lead in the 21st minute when Joschi Schelb struck a free kick from just outside the box into the top left corner of the net.
Picked to win the Northeast Conference this season, Saint Francis looked to score again in the 24th minute, but Bonnies goalkeeper Nicolas Pucci made a diving save to keep it a one-goal game.
The visitors, however, netted their second score of the game just before halftime in the 37th minute off the head of Fabian Wagner.
SFU made it a 3-0 score in the 54th minute when Schelb registered his second goal of the night.
Umechi Akuazaoku looked to pull the Bonnies back within two in the 79th minute, but his shot was punched away just off the line by Saint Francis goalkeeper Niclas Becker.
Pucci finished the night with three saves for the Brown and White while Akuazaoku finished with a pair of shots. Bo Drath, Xaver Ehrlich, Mo Tall, Dean Mercer and Neshawn Sutherland all registered shots for the Bonnies.
The Bonnies return to action Sunday, Aug. 25 when they travel to take on Cleveland State in the first of five straight games on the road. Kickoff is slated for 4:00 p.m.
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