Senior goalkeeper Luke Besse made a season-high six saves in Stonehill's 2-0 loss to Southern New Hampshire this afternoon.

Senior goalkeeper Luke Besse records season-high six saves for Skyhawks

EASTON, Mass. (September 23, 2015) – Southern New Hampshire University, ranked No. 5 in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division II Poll, broke a scoreless tie early in the second half on its way to a 2-0 victory over Stonehill College this afternoon in Northeast-10 Conference men's soccer action at Skyhawk Field.  

Senior goalkeeper Luke Besse (Hamilton, Massachusetts/Hamilton-Wenham Regional) made a season-high six saves for the Skyhawks, including a pair of spectacular diving stops, but two goals from Southern New Hampshire junior forward Michael Rowley (Cooperstown, New York/Cooperstown Central) enabled the Penmen to extend their unblemished start to the season.

Stonehill sophomore forward Adam Branco (Naugatuck, Connecticut/Naugatuck) had a couple of solid scoring chances in the first half, but both of his attempts were turned away by Penmen senior goalkeeper Nick Zucco (Ludlow, Massachusetts/Ludlow), who made five saves en route to his fourth shutout of the season.

After an evenly contested opening 45 minutes, Southern New Hampshire broke the scoreless tie five minutes into the second half when Rowley took a pass from senior midfielder Sebastian Stezewski (New Britain, Connecticut/New Britain) and one-timed it into the bottom left side of the net.

The Penmen then doubled their advantage at the 63:41 mark, as sophomore midfielder Ryan Reynolds (Springfield Massachusetts/Springfield Cathedral) beat his man down the end-line and fired a shot point-blank at Besse. The senior goalkeeper made the initial save, but the rebound landed directly at the feet of Rowley, who fired a shot past Besse and into the net for his second goal of the afternoon.

Stonehill (4-3, 1-2 NE-10) will look to bounce back on Saturday afternoon, when the Skyhawks hit the road to play Bentley University at 3 p.m. Southern New Hampshire (6-0, 3-0 NE-10) is also back in action on Saturday against American International College at Larkin Field.

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