Stonehill Rallies Past American International, 2-1

Zandonella scores twice to snap Skyhawks losing streak

Sophomore back Ben Zandonella provided both of Stonehill's goals in the win.

EASTON, Mass. (October 3, 2012) – The Stonehill College men's soccer team claimed a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over American International College (AIC) on Wednesday evening in Northeast-10 Conference (NE-10) action on Skyhawk field.

Sophomore back Ben Zandonella (South Windsor, Conn./South Windsor) potted both goals for Stonehill ending its eight-game losing streak. Classmate Will Miller (El Dorado Hills, Calif./Shoreham-Wading River) and freshman forward Drew Montano (Avon, Conn./Avon) each had an assist.

Yellow Jackets freshman midfielder Roni Unger (West Hartford, Conn./American Hebrew Academy) opened up the scoring in the 50th minute as he finished on a through ball from Conor Doyle (Douglas, Ilse of Man/Queen Elizabeth II) just outside of the penalty area for a 1-0 advantage.

Zandonella, who was moved to the front line by the coaching staff for the first time in his career, answered for the Skyhawks at the 60:20 mark with a booming shot from the left side of the box, his second of the season. Miller initiated the tally by heading a ball into space that Zandonella corralled and fired behind AIC goalkeeper Sebastian Tamayo (Stratford, Conn./Bunnell).

Two minutes and ten seconds later the switch to the forward position completely paid dividends for the Skyhawks as Zandonella one-touched a through ball from Montano inside the right corner of the box and promptly blasted home his third goal of the season.

At 71:42, freshman back Frazer Cronin (Bromley, England/Ravensbourne) denied Zandonella of a hat-trick bid and an insurance goal for Stonehill. Cronin, who was guarding the left post, read Zandonella's shot perfectly, charged the ball and headed it out of the box right before it crossed the goal line to keep the score at 2-1.

Freshman goalkeeper Luke Besse (Hamilton, Mass./Hamilton-Wenham Regional) earned his first career win with three saves. Tamayo turned away five shots in goal for AIC.

The Skyhawks outshot the Yellow Jackets, 18-15, while AIC held a 9-5 advantage in corners.

Stonehill (2-8-1, 1-7-0 NE-10) returns to action on Saturday, October 6 at Merrimack College for a 1 p.m. start. The Skyhawks next home contest is against Queens (N.Y.) College on Wednesday, October 10 at 3:30 p.m. American International College (3-7-1, 3-3-1 NE-10) hosts Saint Michael's College on Sunday, October 7 in Springfield, Mass. at 1 p.m.

Men's Soccer Highights And Interviews Versus AIC