On a pristine evening, senior midfielder Bill McGuiness (Forty Fort, Pa./Wyoming Valley West) and The University of Scranton men’s soccer team started the season in nearly flawless fashion. McGuiness had a goal and two assists to spark the Royals to a 4-0 victory over Farmingdale State in the season opener for both teams in the Royals/Monarch Classic at Fitzpatrick Field on Friday evening.

Scranton (1-0) also received goals from sophomore forward Kevin Kozic (Raritan, Pa./Immaculata), sophomore midfielder Rich Loeffler (Matawan, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) and freshman forward Ryan Smith (Maple Glen, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) in the victory. The win improved the Royals to 7-0-1 on opening day in the last eight seasons.

Kozic gave Scranton the early lead on a header when he redirected a feed by McGuiness at the 13:51 mark. It was the first career goal for Kozic.

Loeffler pushed the advantage to 2-0 less than five minutes before the half when he and McGuiness worked a nifty give-and-go and Loeffler rifled home a shot from 18 yards out for his first career goal.

Shortly after the break, the Scranton lead grew to three as Smith knocked in a header off a cross from senior midfielder Matthew Salvatore (Howell, N.J./Howell). McGuiness completed the scoring in the 64th minute when he blasted home a shot from the top of the box for an unassisted goal. He now has five goals and eight assists in his career with the Royals.

Scranton controlled the action throughout most of the evening, outshooting Farmingdale State (0-1), 25-3, including 13-0 in the first half. The Royals also enjoyed a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks.

This was the first meeting between Scranton and Farmingdale State.

In the other game of the Royals/Monarch Classic on Friday evening, McDaniel University handed King’s College a 4-1 defeat. Scranton will host McDaniel on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Field. Farmingdale State will travel to King’s, also at 3:30 p.m.

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