NEWTON, MA – Saint Joseph's (9-5, 5-3 GNAC) suffered a 3-2 setback at the hands of Lasell College (8-3-3, 4-2-2 GNAC) in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's soccer action on Saturday afternoon.
Immediately following a ceremony to recognize the Lasers' four seniors, the contest kicked off with a pair of goals, one from each team, in the opening five minutes.
Mike Sanfilippo (Walpole, Mass.) initiated the action when he put the Monks on top, 1-0, at 3:18. Lasell retaliated less than two minutes later, connecting off a corner kick from 12 yards out. Evan Gaccione (Westerly, R.I.) leveled the score, taking help from Isaac Soares (Somerset, Mass.), who launched the corner.
Leading up to halftime, Lasell's Adam Luciano (Fairfield, Conn.) set up Peter Clark (Upton, Mass.) for the go-ahead goal with a no-look pass to the rookie midfielder who shot from short range. The goal was recorded at 41:33 and the 2-1 edge stood until intermission.
An own goal in the 51st minute proved to be the game-winner after a Saint Joseph's defender redirected the ball off a cross by Lasell's Brennen Adams (Southbury, Conn.). St. Joe's closed the gap to one shortly thereafter with an unassisted tally in the 58th minute from Zach Johnson (Westbrook, Maine) to bring the score to 3-2.
With the end of the game looming and still in the red, the Monks nearly forced overtime when Jack LaFreniere (Alton, N.H.) put in the apparent tying goal, at 81:10, which was quickly retracted as an offsides call was made prior to the shot.
Both goalkeepers were tested in the final minutes of the game, but the 3-2 edge held for Lasell.
Aren Moorman (Somerset, N.J.) was the victor, making nine saves in goal for the Lasers. Kenny Grade (Hampton, N.H.) was hit with the loss, having turned aside seven shot opportunities by Lasell.
The conference counterparts both registered 16 shots while the hosts held a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks en route to victory. The Monks were flagged for 19 fouls, while 17 were called on the Lasers.
With the loss, St. Joe's falls to 1-7 in the history of the series with Lasell College.
Saint Joseph's has just two matches remaining in the regular season, beginning with a GNAC contest at Emerson College (8-7, 6-2 GNAC) on Wednesday at 5:30 PM. The Monks will host Mount Ida College (6-7, 4-4 GNAC) in the 2011 regular-season finale next Saturday in a 2:30 PM kickoff.
Lasell will host Anna Maria College (3-13-1, 1-6 GNAC) on Wednesday at 3:30 PM.
COURTESY OF LASELL COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION