Men's Soccer Drops NE-10 Opener to Saint Rose, 3-1


Sophomore Connor O'Brien scored his first goal of the season in Stonehill's 3-1 loss to Saint Rose today.

Sophomore Connor O'Brien nets lone Skyhawk goal in second half

EASTON, Mass. (September 15, 2015) – The College of Saint Rose men's soccer team scored three first half goals en route to a 3-1 victory over Stonehill College in the Northeast-10 Conference opener for both teams this afternoon at Skyhawk Field.

Sophomore midfielder Connor O'Brien (Schenectady, New York/Guilderland Central) was the lone goal scorer for Stonehill, netting his first of the season in the 60th minute on an assist from classmate Adam Branco (Naugatuck, Connecticut/Naugatuck). Branco made a run down the right wing and played a low cross to O'Brien, who beat Saint Rose senior goalkeeper Colan Balkwell (Schaghticoke, New York/Hoosic Valley) to end the Golden Knights' shutout bid.

Saint Rose sophomore back Nathan Brown (Scarborough, Ontario/Cardinal Newman) opened up the scoring in the 3rd minute, when he buried a loose ball that landed at his feet following a corner kick.

The Golden Knights took a 2-0 lead at the 32:07 mark, as sophomore forward Romaine Williamson (Clarendon, Jamaica/Edwin Allen) one-timed a low cross from senior midfielder Nick Iuorno (Guilderland, New York/Guilderland) into the net, and junior forward Joshua Hanif (Toronto, Ontario/Cardinal Newman) capped Saint Rose's three-goal half with his second tally of the season in the 40th minute.

Balkwell earned his second win in net for Saint Rose, turning away four of the five shots he faced. Stonehill senior goalkeeper Luke Besse (Hamilton, Massachusetts/Hamilton-Wenham Regional) made four saves on the other end.

Stonehill (3-2, 0-1 NE-10) and Saint Rose (2-1, 1-0 NE-10) will both be back in action this Saturday, September 19th. The Skyhawks will travel to Rindge, New Hampshire, for an NE-10 tilt at Franklin Pierce University at 7 p.m., while the Golden Knights return home to host Southern New Hampshire at 5 p.m.

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