WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis dropped a tightly contested match at home, falling 1-0 to St. Bonaventure.
>> Goalkeeper Braden Sorensen anchored the defense with two strong saves to keep the Red Flash within striking distance.
>> On the other end, Connor O'Keefe pushed forward from his defensive role to generate multiple scoring chances, including two first-half shots that challenged the Bonnies' back line. Despite outshooting their visitors in key stretches, Saint Francis was unable to find the finishing touch.
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
The match swung early in the second half when St. Bonaventure's Kyle Macfarlane scored in the opening minutes, giving the visitors the lone goal of the day. From there, Saint Francis pressed for an equalizer, nearly leveling in the final minutes. In the 87th minute, Thiago Pires stepped up on a free kick and curled a shot toward the top corner, narrowly missing. Just before the final whistle, Volkan Celikkol rose for a dangerous header that carried across the frame but stayed out, leaving the Red Flash a goal short.
FLASH MOMENTS
The Red Flash created several close calls throughout the match. In the first half, Connor O'Keefe fired twice, including a strike off a well-designed set piece following a quick corner that nearly snuck inside the post. Freshman Nathan Katari continued to impress, testing the Bonnies' keeper with a shot on goal. Thiago Pires added another look before halftime, while Álvaro Planas just missed with a rising effort that carried high over the crossbar. Each sequence kept momentum alive for Saint Francis and had the home crowd on edge waiting for the breakthrough.
FLASH NUGGETS
The match swung early in the second half when St. Bonaventure's Kyle Macfarlane scored in the opening minutes, giving the visitors the lone goal of the day. From there, Saint Francis pressed for an equalizer, nearly leveling in the final minutes. In the 87th minute, Thiago Pires stepped up on a free kick and curled a shot toward the top corner, narrowly missing. Just before the final whistle, Volkan Celikkol rose for a dangerous header that carried across the frame but stayed out, leaving the Red Flash a goal short.
NEXT ON TAP
Saint Francis opens September with a first-ever meeting at Maryland on Monday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m., before returning home to host Robert Morris on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Stokes Soccerplex. The Red Flash own a 10-7-2 all-time edge over the Colonials and look to rebound from last year's narrow 2-1 defeat.
