University of Albany Men's Soccer Edges St. Francis, N.Y. in Home Opener, 2-1, for Second Straight Win - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - Milos Jankovic and Ian Peach each found the back of the net to help lead the University at Albany men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over St. Francis, N.Y. in its home opener at Varsity Field on Saturday, Sept. 4. The Great Danes earned their second straight win to open the fall for the second time in three seasons.

Bo Jelovac had the first scoring chance for either team midway through the first half when he took a through ball from Anthony DeSalvo and went in all alone against Terrier goalkeeper Curtis Julien. However, Julien charged out and disrupted the play, forcing Jelovac into the corner. UAlbany's senior forward tracked down the loose ball, but his shot attempt was blocked and kicked out of bounds by a Terrier defender.

In the 39th minute, UAlbany took advantage of a better opportunity when it was awarded a penalty kick after DeSalvo got tripped up in the box. Milos Jankovic's shot beat Julien to the far left post, and the Great Danes carried the one-goal lead into the break.

The Great Danes doubled their lead in the 51st minute, scoring directly after another Terrier foul. David Pinto took a free kick and lobbed the ball into the box. After bouncing off of several players from both teams, Peach collected the ball and sent a laser from 10 yards away to the far post to give the hosts a 2-0 advantage. Pinto, who was named the team's player of the game, was credited with an assist on the play.

St. Francis, N.Y. (0-2), which dropped its season opener to 22nd-ranked Connecticut by a 2-0 decision on Wednesday evening, cut the lead in half in the 73rd minute when it earned a free kick from just outside the box on the right side. Robbie Weir crossed the ball to Adam Maabdi, who one-timed a hard shot to the near post for the squad's first goal of the season. The teams then combined for only three shots until the final whistle, allowing the Great Danes to hold on for the one-goal victory.

UAlbany's Adrian Foncette made six saves on 12 chances and was credited with his second straight win. Julien of St. Francis, N.Y. turned away 12 of the 17 shots he faced in the losing effort.

UAlbany (2-0) continues its four-game homestand on Wednesday, Sept. 8 when it hosts NJIT at 4 p.m.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information