BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's University, N.Y. (Brooklyn) men's soccer team saw a two-goal halftime advantage slip away Wednesday afternoon, as Medgar Evers College rallied for a 5-3 victory at Aviator Field.
The Bears struck first inside the opening 10 minutes, with Francisco Garcia (Brooklyn, N.Y.) finding the back of the net on a free kick for his second set-piece goal in as many matches. Edwin Sacramento (Brooklyn, N.Y.) kept St. Joseph's in front shortly after, turning aside a Medgar Evers penalty kick.
St. Joseph's then doubled its advantage when Matthew Cottone (Oakdale, N.Y.) headed home a cross from Bryan Garcia (Flushing, N.Y.). After the Cougars pulled one back, Cottone struck again 10 minutes before halftime, heading home a feed from Jared Nereo Flores (Brooklyn, N.Y.) to restore the Bears' two-goal cushion. The visitors earned another penalty kick late in the half and converted, cutting the St. Joseph's lead to 3-2 heading into the intermission.
Medgar Evers controlled the second half, outshooting the Bears, 10-1. With 20 minutes remaining, the Cougars leveled the contest at 3-3 before pouncing on an SJBK defensive lapse to take a 4-3 lead. They added a fifth goal in the 74th minute to secure the 5-3 triumph.
B. Garcia recorded two shots, including one on target, while Joshua Lucano (Elmhurst, N.Y.) added one shot on frame. Garcia and Flores each contributed an assist, while Edwin Sacramento posted a season-high nine saves through the Bears' first three matches.
The Bears take on Pratt Institute on Randall's Island next Monday, September 14 at 7:30 pm.
