FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Sept. 30, 2012) – A goal scored shortly into the start of the second half off the foot of senior Wayne Tiller (Magnolia, Del./Caesar Rodney) proved to be the difference maker in a 1-0 win for the Saint Francis U men's soccer team Sunday afternoon over Sacred Heart.

“The first half was difficult for us but I thought we took over the second and that made the difference in the game,” head coach Michael Casper said. “I am very happy for Wayne who works so hard for us to be rewarded with the goal and for our entire team to get a win and a shutout over a quality side like Sacred Heart. We know how difficult it is to get a result here and I am proud of the guys for being able to find a way.”

With the win, the Red Flash move to 4-4-2 on the season and hold a perfect 2-0 conference record following the opening weekend of Northeast Conference action. The Pioneers fell to 5-4 following the loss.

Sacred Heart managed seven shots and four corner kicks in the first period but only forced starting keeper Daniel Valcicak (Herndon, Va./Gonzaga College) to make one save. The offensive attack picked up for the Flash in period two, sending out eight shots, seven of which were on net.

At the 53:37 mark of the second period Tiller notched the game winner. Junior Nick Kolarac (Pittsburgh, Pa./West Allegheny) delivered a ball from the left wing to where Pedro Machado (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/Salesiano Santa Rosa) could get a shot off. Machado's shot was kicked out and Tiller knocked in the rebound for the first goal of his senior campaign.

With 15 minutes remaining in the game, two red cards were issued, one to Sacred Heart's Justin Brewer and the other to senior Flash defender James Price (Christchurch, New Zealand/St. Andrew’s College). The two bookings caused each team to play one man down for the remainder of the match. The defense stood tall though as the minutes ticked away, allowing the Pioneers to get off just one shot in the final 10 minutes of action.

Saint Francis returns to the Stokes Soccerplex to continue NEC play this Friday as they welcome in Central Connecticut State for a 3 p.m. contest.
 

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