Riverdale, New York---The St. Francis Brooklyn men’s soccer secured their third consecutive victory, as they defeated the Manhattan College Jaspers, 3-1, at Gaelic Park on Sunday morning.  The Terriers now stand at 4-2 on the season while Manhattan falters to 0-5.

“I thought we played a good game today,” commented head coach Tom Giovatto. “We moved the ball effectively and efficiently. Kevin (Correa) and Gabriel (Bagot) combined well with the other midfielders while Viktor (Bakkioui) was tremendous for us today in finishing on his scoring chances.”
 
Both teams played to virtual standstill for nearly the entire half. St. Francis Brooklyn recorded the game’s first goal in the 41st minute as they were awarded a penalty kick.  Junior forward Kevin Correa was able to beat his defender but was taken down by a Jasper defender.  The referee awarded St. Francis Brooklyn with a penalty kick opportunity.  Senior forward Gabriel Bagot was tabbed to take the kick for the visitors.  The Nevers, France product beat Manhattan’s goalkeeper Alex Coates McDowall to his left to give the Terriers a 1-0 lead. For Bagot, it was his fourth goal of the season and his first career penalty kick conversion.

Minutes before the intermission, the Jaspers answered back. Reese Akers of Manhattan intercepted a pass in the box and found teammate Eugene Heerschap to his left. Heerschap was able to blast a shot on goal to tie the score at one apiece.

St. Francis Brooklyn broke the 1-1 tie in the 59th minute off the foot of senior midfielder Viktor Bakkioui.  Bagot started the play by taking the ball deep in the zone while forcing the Jaspers’ goalkeeper to leave the cage. The senior forward located Bakkioui at the top of the box for the go-ahead tally. Bagot’s assist, his second this year, moves him into a tie for 13th all-time in St. Francis Brooklyn men’s soccer history with 12 career assists. 

Bakkioui wasn’t done for the match.  He scored his second goal of the match in the 73rd minute. This time, junior forward Kevin Correa fired a left-footed shot but was denied by Coates McDowall. Bakkioui corralled the loose ball and found the back of the net. Bakkioui’s two goals, his first multi-goal game in his career, give the Sweden native six for his career.

For the match, the Terriers fired 17 shots, with eight shots being on target.  Manhattan attempted 14 shots in the match with two finding their way on goal.  Junior goalkeeper Jack Binks, picked up his third win as a Terrier, made one save on the morning while Coates McDowall allowed three goals and recorded five saves. 

St. Francis Brooklyn will be back in action on Thursday, September 26th as they welcome the Saint Joseph’s University Hawks to Brooklyn Bridge Park-Pier 5. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
 

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