ALBANY – Bentley College took advantage of an own goal in the opening five minutes and a penalty kick with four minutes remaining in the first half to hand The College of Saint Rose men's soccer team a 4-0 setback today at The Albany Academies. The Golden Knights owned an 11-10 advantage in shots and generated a 4-3 margin in corner kicks, but could not come up with a strike on a picturesque fall afternoon.

Junior midfielder Harris Smriko had a goal and an assist and sophomore keeper Michael Nikiforov came up with seven saves in 75 minutes between the posts for the visiting Falcons (4-3/1-3 NE-10). Freshman keeper Patrik Ohlsson made three saves for the Golden Knights (1-6/0-4 NE-10).

Bentley went up 1-0 after freshman midfielder Eric Heuze lined a cross from the left endline that ricocheted off a Saint Rose defender into the net. Thirty-five minutes later, Smriko lifted a ball from the right flank to junior forward Jimmy Alexander who headed it home. Smriko then converted the PK after Saint Rose was whistled for a trip in the box at the 40:25 mark.

The Falcons closed out the scoring in the 51st minute when sophomore midfielder Mike Lipsett sprung junior forward Jared Joaquin with a through ball on the right side. Joaquin ran onto the ball and slipped a shot home from 15-yards out.

Saint Rose had a pair of opportunities to keep the score close in the first half. Senior forward Joe Hunt  knocked a shot off the crossbar in the 16th minute. Sophomore midfielder Liam Barrett then lofted a corner to junior midfielder Justin Paden who collected the ball while standing on the Bentley doorstep. However, his ensuing shot was gathered in by Nikiforov.

Saint Rose will host conference rival Assumption at 4:00 pm Wednesday in the first of two consecutive matches at the University at Albany. Bentley is scheduled to travel to Bridgeport for a 6:00 pm non-league contest on Tuesday.

Box Score