SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Junior Zachary Heckt (South Windsor, Conn.) recorded his second goal of the season in the 76th minute, but host American International College added a late goal to drop the Saint Anselm College men's soccer team, 2-1, Saturday evening at Abdow Field.
STANDOUT PERFORMERS
• Heckt's second goal of the season brings his season points total to five through the first five games. He also recorded a point for the second straight game, adding to Tuesday's assist against Assumption.
• Junior Stephen McLeod (Chelmsford, Mass.) recorded a game-high nine saves for Saint Anselm, also taking his first loss on the season at 2-1-1 overall.
• AIC's Jason Burnusuz and Alec Cerquiera scored goals for the YellowJackets.
• AIC goalkeeper Sebastian Tamayo recorded seven saves and improved to 3-2 overall.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Despite AIC's 11-9 shot advantage in the first period, Saint Anselm applied pressure early with five shots—all saved by Tamayo.
• Burnusuz's game-opening goal at the 66:28 mark came unassisted as he sliced right through the Saint Anselm defense and scored through McLeod in-net.
• Heckt answered just nine minutes later, receiving a throw-in from senior Colin Mahoney (Peabody, Mass.) and blasting it from the top right corner of the box.
• AIC's Cerquiera broke the tie with another goal in the heel of the Hawk defense, scoring from the middle on a cross from the right side.
• A pair of Saint Anselm corners went unscored-upon over the final five minutes, and a shot by senior Ben Mack (Melrose, Mass.) in the waning seconds was saved by Tamayo as time ran out, sealing a gritty win for the host 'Jackets.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• AIC held a considerable 21-14 advantage on shots Saturday night, including an 11-8 edge in attempts on-target.
• Eight different Hawks offered up the eight shots on-goal.
• Saint Anselm earned four corners for the game, holding AIC to just one.
NOTES
• Saint Anselm's four-game unbeaten streak was snapped with Saturday's loss.
• AIC has now won four straight against Saint Anselm. The Hawks' last win came
• The Hawks fall to 34-12-3 against the YellowJackets in the all-time series history.
UP NEXT
• Saint Anselm will look to get back on track with a trek to Saint Michael's College Wednesday for a Northeast-10 Conference tilt against the Purple Knights at 3:30 p.m. The Hawks will then host the College of Saint Rose next Saturday at 2 p.m., immediately following the Saint Anselm women's soccer matchup against Le Moyne.
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