BOX SCORE New Britain, Conn. - The Saint Francis men's soccer team (7-5, 0-1 NEC) conceded three unanswered goals in the second half, falling to CCSU 5-3.

Moore's Reaction

"Obviously, this isn't the start we were looking for in our first conference game," said head coach Antony Moore. "We made too many mistakes and they cost us the game. The challenge is to get things right in training and come out ready to go on Friday."

Turning Point

The Red Flash battled back from two one-goal deficits in the first half to tie things up at 2-2 at the half. Senior Troye Kiernan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) had a chance to give SFU its first lead early in the second half but had his penalty attempt saved. The Blue Devils built off the momentum to score three unanswered goals.

Highlights

• The Blue Devils struck first in the fourth minute as Ryan Taylor intercepted an errant SFU pass, beat a defender, and walked in all alone on senior goalkeeper Marcus Rojas (Fremont, Calif./Bellarmine College Preparatory).
• Saint Francis tied the match in the 15th minute on junior Mario Mastrangelo (Venetia, Pa/Peters Township)'s league-leading 11th goal. The Red Flash combined well on top of the box before spraying wide to junior Tulio Canineu (Corbin, Ky/Corbin). He delivered a perfect cross to Mastrangelo who poked home after making a near post run.
• Central Connecticut State didn't wait long to regain the lead, scoring 25 seconds later. Andres Albino dribbled parallel to goal then hit a shot back against the grain inside the far post.
• Sophomore Lucas Canineu (Corbin, Ky/Corbin) scored his second goal of the season in the 40th minute. Mastrangelo and Kiernan played a one-two in the box before Kiernan cut back to the streaking Canineu who buried from 10 yards out. 
• Kiernan hit his penalty firm and low to his right side but it was saved. 
• The Blue Devils caught the Red Flash on the counter in the 55th minute. Albino sprang Parker with a pass and the forward hit a shot under the diving Rojas from the left-side of the box. 
• Albino scored his second of the match in the 64th minute to double CCSU's lead.
• Parker added his second of the game in the 69th minute in a similar fashion as the first. This time his shot from the left-side beat Rojas high to the near post. 
• Freshman Christian Kirchhoff (Aarhaus, Denmark) set up sophomore Kyle Moerschbacher (State College, PA/State College) for his first career goal in the 86th minute, whipping in a cross after Moershbacher made a strong run in to the box. It was too little too late as it was the last goal of the contest.

Notes

• Shots tilted 16-15 in CCSU's favor. 
• Shots on goal were 9-8 to the Blue Devils.
• SFU earned two corner kicks to one for CCSU.
• Mastrangelo and Kiernan led Saint Francis with three shots each. All three of Mastrangelo's strikes were on target while Kiernan put two on frame.
• SFU hadn't allowed five goals in a match since Oct. 16, 2015, a 5-0 loss at St. Francis Brooklyn.
• Tulio Canineu has recorded assists in consecutive matches.

Up Next

The Red Flash host Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday, Oct. 13, at 3 p.m.