ALBANY-The College of Saint Rose gave third-ranked and three-time defending
Northeast-10 Conference Champion Southern New Hampshire all it could handle before succumbing 2-1 tonight at Sullivan Field at the Plumeri Sports Complex. The Golden Knights (2-2/1-1 NE-10) jumped out to a 1-0 lead five minutes into the second half, but the Penmen (5-0/2-0 NE-10) leveled four minutes later and then got the game-winner on an own goal in the 82nd minute.
Sophomore forward
Romaine Williamson put Saint Rose ahead when he took the ball off of a Southern New Hampshire defender, dribbled down the middle of the pitch, and lofted a shot from 15-yards out over Penmen senior keeper Nick Zucco and under the crossbar.
Senior back Dominic Samuel got Southern New Hampshire on the board with 54:30 elapsed when he headed home a lined free kick off the foot of fellow senior back Jonathan Lupinelli. The Penmen were then able to take home the win on a similar play that was headed in by a Saint Rose defender.
Both Zucco and Golden Knights senior keeper
Colan Balkwell were on their games all evening. Balkwell made six of his season-high eight saves in the second half, while Zucco turned aside three threats-on-target. Balkwell got off his feet in the 67th minute to redirect a dangerous threat from senior midfielder Sofiane Tergou to keep the game tied. At the other end, Zucco made a similar play to deny Williamson and Saint Rose an earlier 1-0 advantage at the onset of the second period.
Tonight's meeting proves what a difference a year makes. Last season, Southern New Hampshire scored five times in the second half to hand the Golden Knights a 7-1 loss. Saint Rose was also looking to open a season 3-1 for only the second time (2005) in its NCAA era that dates back to 1992.
Going forward, both squads return to the pitch on Wednesday. The Golden Knights will host
Upstate Challenge rival Le Moyne at 7:00 pm. That match may be seen live on
www.gogoldenknights.tv. Meanwhile, the Penmen will travel to North Easton, Mass. to take on Stonehill in a 4:00 pm conference match.
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