Jersey City, New Jersey---Behind two second half goals, the St. Francis Brooklyn men's soccer team extended their unbeaten streak to four matches as they defeated the Saint Peter's University Peacocks, 2-0, on Wednesday afternoon. The Terriers, winners of three straight games, improved to 3-4-1 on the season while the Peacocks dropped to 1-6-0 on the year.

"I am very happy with the team and the fact that they were able to battle and get the results we wanted this afternoon," said head coach Tom Giovatto, who was back in Jersey City for the first time since 2003, when he was the assistant coach at Saint Peter's. During his tenure, the Peacocks won a MAAC conference title and made a second round appearance in the NCAA College Cup. 

"The back four defenders (Riccardo Milano, Paul Galimi, Cyril Cosine and Dominick Falanga) plus Jack Binks (1 save on 1 SOG) did a good job and got us our third straight shutout. It's tough when you lose your captain and leader [Andy Cormack, who was injured at Lafayette], but the defense has been very organized and are really stepping up."

Saint Peter's controlled the first five minutes of the contest and nearly scored the first goal in the 5th minute when Gabrielle Bandelli's shot sailed over the net after a cross from his teammate at the top of the box. Three minutes later, the Terriers began to turn up the intensity as junior forward John Makaya was able to rocket two shots on goal. His first attempt was denied by SPU's keeper, David Giddings, and the next saiiled high over the net.

On the ensuing possession, the Peacocks tested Binks as they moved the ball inside the box with Bandelli leading the charge.  After creating space between himself and a Terrier defender, Bandelli fired a shot that was on target but Binks made a fantastic diving save to his right.

St. Francis Brooklyn had two golden opportunities to score in the first half.  In the 28th minute, sophomore midfielder Nyle Patel eluded his man and made a sprint towards the net.  He fired a right-footed attempt that was punched out by Giddings.  Just a few minutes later, freshman midfielder Vincent Bezecourt corralled a loose ball and launched a left-footed shot that smacked off the left post.  Both teams played to a stalemate for the remainder of the period as the match remained scoreless.

St. Francis Brooklyn came out of the intermission with more intensity and determination.  Two minutes into the stanza, Falanga launched a 25 yard shot that soared over the net.  In the 54th minute, Patel took a corner-kick for the visitors and he delivered a looping drive that found the foot of senior co-captain Riccardo Milano. Milano was able to set the ball using his right foot but his strike from point-blank range went wide and out of play.

The home eleven regained composure in the 65th minute.  Michael Crentsil received the ball from his teammate on the far left wing.  Crentsil played the ball and fired an attempt that kissed off the right post. With just twenty minutes left in regulation, the Terriers struck for the game-winner off the foot of John Makaya.  After a foul was given to Saint Peter's, Bezecourt was selected to take the free kick to the right of the 18 yard box.  He sent the ball on goal and it was misplayed by Giddings. Makaya broke free and was able to stuff in the rebound to give St. Francis Brooklyn a 1-0 edge.  For Makaya, it was his team-leading third goal of the season and Bezecourt's third helper of the year.

"John had a great second half," Giovatto mentioned.  "He put himself in good positions to finish, which we have been stressing, and today he did an excellent job of finishing his scoring chances."

Four minutes later, Makaya struck again for his fourth goal and more importantly gave the Terriers a two-goal lead.  St. Francis Brooklyn was able to play the ball up the field, and eventually found the head of junior forward Philip Shafer.  Shafer was then able to locate an open Makaya, who swooped in on goal to extend the lead.  For Shafer, it was the first collegiate assist of his career.

The Terriers continued to dominate the tempo late in the contest.  After checking in on Makaya's second goal of the match, freshman David Shafer intercepted a pass and darted in on goal from the right side.  Trailing on the play was his older brother, Philip, from the midfield. and the duo took on one SPU defender.  David executed a well-timed give-and-go, but the Philip sent the shot wide right of the target.  The final scoring chance for the Terriers came in the 84th minute as Makaya nearly recorded the first Terrier hat-trick since John Sallhag '10 accomplished the feat on September 16, 2010, but the foward's attempt ricocheted off the right post.

The Terriers outshot the Peacocks by a 14-9 margin and allowed just one shot on goal.  Saint Peter's took six corners in the match to the Terriers one attempt.  Binks finished the game with the one save, but took over sole possession of fifth place all-time in St. Francis Brooklyn men's soccer with his tenth career shutout.  His counterpart, Giddings, made two saves on the afternoon.

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