Knights Fall to Bryan Lions 2-0 in AAC Matchup
The men's soccer team played the Bryan Lions this afternoon at Knights Field in Laurinburg, NC as the squad has been looking to end the recent run of tough results against good AAC opponents. The Knights playoff hopes aren't quite sealed yet, and a date with the first place team would be no easy test for the St. Andrews side. A heavily physical matchup that saw plenty of fouls and cards being shown, the Knights had everything except the goals as Bryan was able to come away with the 2-0 victory and further stake their claim as the best team in the AAC.
Cristobal Romero (Santiago, Chile) got the start in goal today as he has been named the first choice keeper in the majority of the Knights recent stretch of matches. He was put to work early as Caio Alves had a cracker at goal that was palmed away by the Junior goalkeeper.
The Lions put heavy pressure on the Knights early as their pressing style of play seemed to disrupt the Knights tempo throughout the first 20 minutes of play. Bryan got off the first five shots of the game, and at times had the Knights scrambling in their defensive setting.
A headed attempt by Flavio Nardecchia (Viterbo, Italy) from a corner by Tobias Crosariol (Milan, Italy) was headed just high above the bar, but the chance gave the Knights some confidence in the offensive side of the pitch.
Just as it looked like the match could be balancing out, Haaris Hussain of the Lions carved through a couple of defenders and placed a perfect shot just past the dive of Cristobal to open the scoring and give the Lions a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute of action.
After a couple Lion attempts at goal that either were sent wide or shut down by Romero, shots from aforementioned Flavio Nardecchia and Tobias Crosariol required saved from Lions keeper Isaac Hooks who was called into action late in the first half.
Although the scoreboard only read 1-0, the Knights had to be looking for better energy and rhythym with the ball going into the second half as they were outshot 9-4 in the first frame.
Eight fouls were called in the first opening 15 minutes of the second half, as the physicality ensued for either sides. With the constant break in play, and talking too's, it seemed difficult for the Knights to establish any type of flow in the match.
As the match progressed and Romero kept his goal clean for the time being, shots from Martin Perez (Medellin, Colombia) and Matteo Sala (Monza, Italy) were great looks at goal that were both shut down by Hooks.
In the 83rd minute, Alessandro Mastrofilippo (Bari, Italy) hit a left footed strike that required Hooks to get down low quick in order to make the stop.
After a fine inital save from Romero, Bryan midfielder James Mitchell was able to clean the rebound up and send home the Lions with all three points and the conference victory. Although the Knights didn't fare the way they would have liked, another day and the scoreline could look drastically different.
The Knights are back in action next against a tough CIU team which currently sits in a top three position in the AAC, The Knights travel to Columbia on October 26th for a match that is slated to kick off at 7:00 PM.