Photo by Nicole Vertigan
By Anthony Heller
Susquehanna Men’s Soccer took on Widener under the Friday night lights at Sassafras Field.
The visiting Widener Pride came out of the gate looking to impose themselves on the much-changed River Hawk side that lost at Wilkes last time out. Coach Jim Findlay made five changes to that lineup as Hunter McDonald, Christian Bell, Christian Williams, Calvin Paulick, and Tommy O’Keefe enter the fold for the hosts.
The game started off competitively with chances going both ways. Hunter McDonald was forced into smart saves from Andrew Hurrell and Sean Fatiga. Clay Yannazzone went into the book at 38 minutes, although many in the ground thought Sam Netzley had been shown the yellow card. Just moments later, forward Hector Suriel got away from his defender and fired past McDonald, as the first-year scored his first collegiate goal.
The second half threatened to boil over right from the kickoff. Pride coach Ross Liberati was constantly in the ear of the referee, voicing his displeasure and leaving none of his thoughts unheard. Particularly, Liberati was frustrated with Kevin Ayoso, saying that he had fouled right-back Bryce Deshaies off the ball. The referee waved away the appeals.
The Pride had a penalty shout around the one-hour mark. Christian Bell fairly won the ball from Michael Donaghy in the eyes of the referee. Tempers flared later, and Netzley’s challenge was deemed a bookable offense at the 72-minute mark. He threw his arms up in frustration only not to be sent off. He would later say that he thought Yannazzone’s booking had gone to himself.
Adrian Dilascio was also booked ten minutes later with the packed Sassafras bleachers making themselves heard. Just seconds from full-time Susquehanna won a corner, with 21 players on the pitch in the Widener area. It was River Hawk goalkeeper Hunter McDonald that got the first touch from the delivery, but the keeper could not write himself into the headlines as the final whistle blew and the visitors celebrated a narrow win.
Susquehanna is six without a win now to open the season. Jim Findlay will have his eyes set on getting at least four for the season- the venerated coach is on 196 career wins in his 25-year career. The River Hawks travel to Alvernia on Wednesday and return home to host Elizabethtown in their first Landmark contest of the season.
