PURCHASE, N.Y. — The St. Joseph's University, New York (Brooklyn) men's soccer team celebrated Senior Day with a 4–1 victory over SUNY Purchase on Saturday evening, fueled by contributions from all four seniors in their penultimate regular-season home match.
Prior to kickoff, the Bears honored Veton Dudus (Murray Hill, N.Y.), Joaquin Franco (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Francisco Garcia (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Joshua Lucano (Elmhurst, N.Y.), who went on to combine for two goals and three assists as the Bears secured their second consecutive victory.
The opening half remained scoreless despite opportunities at both ends. Matthew Galetta (Bohemia, N.Y.) made six saves to keep the Panthers off the scoreboard, while Jared Nereo Flores (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Franco combined for three shots on target for the Bears.
St. Joseph's broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when Franco found the back of the net off an assist from Dudus. Just four minutes later, Franco turned provider, setting up Garcia to double the Bears' advantage. Ebrahim Solo Darboe (Serekunda, The Gambia) extended the lead to 3–0 in the 65th minute, completing a stretch of three goals in less than 12 minutes.
Purchase pulled one back in the 80th minute but St. Joseph's answered three minutes later. Darboe netted his second goal of the evening off an assist from Lucano, restoring the Bears' three-goal cushion and securing the victory.
Darboe led the offensive effort with two goals on three shots, all on target. Franco finished with a goal and an assist, while Garcia added a goal. Dudus and Lucano each recorded an assist as SJBK outshot Purchase 16–11, including an 11–9 advantage in shots on goal. Galetta finished with eight saves across 90 minutes.
The Bears travel to Riverdale on Tuesday, October 20, to face the University of Mount Saint Vincent in Skyline Conference action. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
