SFBK Rides Win Streak to Four Straight

September 27, 2014

Brooklyn Heights, New York---The St. Francis Brooklyn men's soccer team remain unbeaten in their last five matches as they used two first half goals to blank the Rider University Broncs, 2-0, on a beautiful sunny afternoon at Brooklyn Bridge Park. After starting the season 0-4, the Terriers have won four straight to even their record at 4-4-1 while the Broncs dropped to 3-2-2 on the season.

The Terriers were able to create their first scoring chance on the afternoon as freshman midfielder Grei Mujko fired an attempt from the top of the box that was stopped by Rider's Ryan Baird.  Five minutes later, the visitors returned the favor as Zach Bond was able to create separation from his defender and sent a blast outside of the 18 yard box that found the hands of St. Francis Brooklyn goalkeeper Jack Binks, the reigning UADE/NEC Player of the Week.

The Broncs had a golden opportunity in the 18th minute after a foul was called on the home eleven.  As the Terriers set-up a three man wall, Christian Flath booted a right-footed strike that ricocheted off the Terriers and out of bounds.  Two minutes later, the Terriers struck for the first goal of the match. After receiving a feed from sophomore midfielder Nyle Patel at the top of the box, junior forward John Makaya stuffed in his fifth goal on the season and his third goal in two games.  For Patel, it was his first helper of the season.

In the 27th minute of play, the Broncs tried to knot the match at a goal apiece as Adrien Huss took a corner kick for the visitors.  He sent an arching attempt that Binks was able to corral, preserving the one goal advantage.  St. Francis Brooklyn played a man down for the remainder of the match as a direct red card was assessed to Adrian Cosovic, who checked into the match in the 22nd minute.

Rider's Florian Valot took a free kick as play resumed from the right side but his attempt was deflected by the Terriers' defense. The ball was bouncing around freely until the Broncs' Rob Nardiello was able to locate it. But once again, Binks was able to deny the scoring threat.  On their next scoring chance, three minutes later, Ryan Walsh received a cross from teammate Jose Aguinaga. Walsh catapulted in the air to head the ball but Binks once again stood tall in net, stopping the chance and keeping the shutout intact.

The best chance for the visitors came in the 35th minute when Nardiello received a thru-pass from his teammate and rocketed a one-timer wide left of the goal.  On the ensuing Terrier possession, in the 42nd minute, sophomore defender Paul Galimi sent a feed toward the top of 18 yard box.  Fellow defender Dominick Falanga settled the ball with his right foot, and in the same motion launched the ball high into the air that somehow bounced into the back of the net. It was the former New Utrecht standout's first career collegiate goal.  Galimi was credited with his first assist of the season.

Three minutes into the second stanza, the reigning U-ADE/NEC Player of the Week Binks was tested as Huss once again tried to beat the Darlington, England native one-on-one but Binks was up for the task and made the save.  In the 67th minute, Aguinaga had a chance from close range but Binks thwarted the scoring opportunity yet again.

In the 79th and 80th, Binks recorded his 99th and 100th career save at St. Francis Brooklyn.  On the historic 100th, Aaron Freeman beat two Terrier defenders and blasted a shot that Binks punched out to his right.

The final chance for the visitors came in the 83rd minute as after effectively moving the ball into the Terriers' zone, a pass was lofted into the air that found the head of Sonimi Halliday but his attempt went high over the net.

Rider outshot the Terriers by an 18-11 margin and took a 5-1 advantage off corner kicks.  Binks posted his 11th career shutout and fourth straight while extending his scoreless streak to 383:12.  The last time he allowed a goal was at the 87:28 mark of the 2-2 draw at Lafayette.  For the game, Binks came up one save short of his career high, as the junior keeper stopped eight shots while his counterpart, Ryan Baird, was credited with three saves against two goals.

The Terriers will look to remain unbeaten in six straight matches and a fifth consecutive win when they head up the New York State Thruway to tangle with the UAlbany Great Danes on September 30th at 7:00 pm.   

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