Brooklyn, N.Y.- Bryant's Matteo Toti broke a 1-1 tie in the 60th minute, scoring his first goal of the season as the Saint Francis men's soccer team (9-5-3, 5-1-2 NEC) lost to Bryant ( 5-8-3, 4-2-2) 2-1 in the 2018 NEC Semifinal in Brooklyn N.Y.
 
Olszewski Reaction
'We fought hard all season," said Frank Olszewski. "Losing games like this are tough and something we have to move on from. I am proud of how we played all season especially with dealing some injuries. Our seniors were true leaders all season long and I can't thank them enough for their effort."
 
Turning Point
The match looked destined for another overtime affair between the two team until Matteo Toti connected on a goal in the 60th minute. Being pressured by two Red Flash defenders, Toti found an open slot that freed him an opportunity to curve a cross shot over Saint Francis freshman goalie Jonas Dieseler (Duesseldorf, Germany/Lessing Berufskolleg).
 
Highlights

• The Red Flash displayed a focused and determined effort from the opening whistle. The effort was rewarded in the 36th minute as senior Mario Mastrangelo (Venetia, Pa/Peters Township) capitalized a second chance effort off a rebounded save. The goal marked his tenth of the season.
• Bryant tied the game in the 45th minute as Charles DeSantis intercepted a deflected pass that set him up with a 30-yard bender shot to the top right corner of the net.
• Two minutes after Bryant's second goal, sophomore Christian Kirchhoff (Aarhaus, Denmark) tried to shift the momentum with a perfectly placed corner kick but the header attempt by sophomore Kevin Smolyn (Holland, Pa./Germantown Academy) was deflected by a diving Bryant goalie.
• Senior Nicco Mastrangelo (Venetia, Pa/Peters Township) tried to create a scoring opportunity from outside the box off a Mario volleyed pass. The shot was on line but curved just inches above the post.
• With 48 seconds remaining in the match, Kirchhoff showed one last effort to get something started. He delivered a high pass into the box from 25 yards but the header attempt from Mario was saved.

 
Inside the Box

• SFU outshot the Bulldogs 21-11 for the match.
• Shots on goal were 10-6 favor of the Red Flash.
• The Bulldogs drew ten corners to the five for the Red Flash.

 
Notes

• Saint Francis falls to 7-2 all-time in opening round matches. Its last lost came back in 2013 against the Bulldogs which ended in penalty kicks.
• Mario's goal was his tenth goal of the season, marking his second consecutive season with double digit goals. He finished his career with 190 points on 39 goals and nine assists.
• Nicco, Mario, and junior Lucas Canineu (Corbin, Ky/Corbin) led the team in shots. Lucas and Mario had two shots on goal each.