Photo by Michael Anderer

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Senior Leonardo Fernandes (North Babylon, N.Y.) posted the game-winning goal in the 63rd minute as part of a three-point night in leading the Stony Brook men's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Fordham Friday night at LaValle Stadium. Freshman Alejandro Fritz (Buadpest, Hungary) notched the first goal of the night for the Seawolves.

Coach Ryan Anatol's Reaction

"Tonight we had a good win against a good opponent. I thought we dominated the first half. We had good pressure and created a lot of chances. Overall, I thought we played well."

Goal Recaps

·         In the 26th minute, senior Berian Gobeil Cruz (Montreal, Quebec) chested a ball down to Fernandes, who then beat a defender with a quick dribble into the box. He stopped short and then dished off the ball the length of the net down to a wide open Fritz, who beat the Fordham keeper with a blast to the top shelf of the net near side.

·         In the 55th minute, Kyle Bitterman crossed the ball into the box to a waiting Kalle Sotka, who whacked the ball with his right foot while facing away from the net and drilled into the top right corner of the near post.

·         In the 63rd minute, senior Antonio Crespi (North Babylon, N.Y.) positioned himself with the ball near the Stony Brook sideline and then crossed a low-lining ball into the box where he found a waiting Fernandes, who easily kicked it in past the keeper for the game-winner.

The Numbers Game

·         Stony Brook limited Fordham to just one shot in the first half while keeping possession of the ball in the Rams zone for nearly 90 percent of the half.

·         Stony Brook outshot the Rams 19-8 overall and 10-3 on goal.

·         Stony Brook had 10 corner kicks to Fordham's zero.

·         Fernandes now has at least one point in 10 of his last 12 matches.

·         Fernandes missed his first career penalty kick. He was previously 7-for-7.

·         Fritz leads the team with three goals this season.

·         One of Stony Brook's shots on goal was a shot by sophomore Keith McKenna (Great River, N.Y.) that hit the crossbar. He had gotten the opportunity on a great ball from senior Christian Molinar (Bay Shore, N.Y.).

·         Senior Stefan Manz (Bronx, N.Y.) now has 22 career goalkeeper wins, tying him with Dan Ferrin (2000-03) for third place all-time in program history. He made two saves, none bigger than a point-blank stop of a header by Michael Valencia in the 70th minute.

·         With his assist today, Fernandes is now tied for third all-time in program history in career assists (14).

·         Each team had two yellow cards.

News & Notes

·         Stony Brook has now won two straight over teams from the Atlantic 10 after not beating a team from that conference since 2005.

·         The Seawolves are now 12-0-1 under Anatol when they score the first goal of the game.

·         Stony Brook opens the home schedule 2-0-0 for the seventh time in its Div. I history.

Up Next

Stony Brook closes out the weekend with a Sunday afternoon tilt against Buffalo. Game time at LaValle Stadium is 2 p.m.

Contact: Thomas Chen (631) 632-7289