ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure University men's soccer team nearly pulled off an upset against No. 24 George Mason on a soggy evening at the Marra Athletics Complex, falling short of the Patriots, 6-5.
Graduate student Seth Hammond posted an incredible stat line of two goals and four assists, with the four helpers setting a new program record for a single game.
Trailing 6-3 with under 10 minutes to play, the Bonnies made one final push to even the score.
Hammond delivered a low cross into the box where Neshawn Sutherland was there to punch home the goal in the 81st minute. For Hammond, it was the third of his new program record four assists on the evening.
Just five minutes later in the 86th minute, Hammond was able to make the Patriot defense pay with his first goal of the night, making the score 6-5.
That is as close as the Bonnies would get, however, as George Mason (6-4-1, 3-1-1 A-10) would fend off any chances from the Bonnies the rest of the way.
The Patriots took control of the game early as they took a 3-0 lead just 25 minutes into Saturday's match.
George Mason struck first on a penalty kick in the fourth minute before doubling the lead in the 10th minute. The Patriots made it a three-goal game in the 25th minute off the foot of Kelly Janssen.
The Bonnies (3-7-2, 1-3-1 A-10), however, got right back in the game with goals from Etienne Godin and Daniel Helle in the 34th and 35th minutes.
George Mason was able to push its lead back to two just before halftime, scoring to make it 4-2 with just 30 seconds remaining in the half.
Callum Shillington looked to jolt the Bonnies with his first goal of the season in the 56th minute.
The Patriots, however, answered with goals in the 71st and 81st minutes to push ahead.
Shillington paced the Bonnies with five shots while Brendan Sheehan added four shots. Helle registered three shots while Hammond and Ricardo Rittersberger Galan added two shots each.
The Bonnies are back in action Saturday, Oct. 18 when they travel to take on Dayton. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH MICK GIORDANO
"I am at a loss for words and I can't say enough about the effort we gave. We dug ourselves a massive hole, but to be able to do that, keep going, keep fighting back and we really almost get the six. It says a lot about this group and the character of this group. I don't know if I've been more proud which is a weird thing to say after a disappointing loss."
---
For the latest news on St. Bonaventure athletics, stay connected on social media. Follow the Bonnies on X @GoBonnies and get men's soccer updates @BonniesMSoccer. Keep up with the Bonnies on Facebook /GoBonnies and on Instagram @GoBonnies. Bonnies Men's Soccer can be found on Instagram @bonniesmsoccer
