Saint Anselm College

MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Saint Anselm College men's soccer team fell to Molloy University, 1-0, at Melucci Field on Thursday afternoon in the Hawks' season opener.

Highlights

• The Hawks outshot the Lions by a 16-13 margin, including a 10-5 advantage in the second half.
• Saint Anselm also held an 8-7 edge in corner kicks.
• Sophomore Zachary Mantegari led the Hawks with five shots, including one on goal.
• Senior goalkeeper David Hood made four saves in the season-opening contest.

How it Happened

Molloy opened the scoring just 2:07 into the contest when Cesar Chavez found the back of the net off an assist from Jack Veletanga, giving the Lions an early 1-0 advantage.

The Hawks responded with several offensive opportunities throughout the opening half. Mantegari registered multiple attempts, while Yves Maurer nearly leveled the contest in the 24th minute when his shot struck the right post. Parker Bienvenue-Cernuda added another shot in the 38th minute, but the Hawks entered halftime trailing by a 1-0 margin.

Hood kept Saint Anselm within one in the opening half, making four saves, including stops on attempts from Molloy's Diego Cadena, Veletanga, Chavez and Wilmer Flores.

Saint Anselm came out aggressively in the second half, generating 10 shots and five corner kicks. Mantegari put a shot on target in the 48th minute, but Molloy goalkeeper Callum Hunt made the save. Chance Prouty also tested Hunt in the 56th minute, but the Lions' keeper again turned aside the attempt.

The Hawks continued to pressure Molloy late in the contest, with Brian Jones sending a shot wide in the 79th minute and Prouty adding two attempts shortly thereafter. Ryan Jacob nearly found the equalizer with just over a minute remaining, but Hunt made the save to preserve the shutout and secure the 1-0 victory for Molloy.

Up Next

Saint Anselm men's soccer hits the road on Saturday, Aug. 29, traveling to Staten Island, N.Y., to take on College of Staten Island at Dolphins Soccer Park at 2 p.m.