Men’s Soccer Falls to Hunter, Splits Season-Opening Homestand

NEW YORK — Forward Victor Naci (Bordeaux, France/Bernard Palissy) scored his fifth goal in four matches, enough to share the lead in the Skyline. However, the St. Joseph's University, NY (Brooklyn) men's soccer team finished on the wrong side of a 2-1 result against Hunter College on Wednesday night from Randall's Island.

The Bears drop to 2-2 on the year, splitting their four-game homestand to open the 2022 season. Hunter improved to 2-4.

How it Happened

Less than 90 seconds into the match, an early Hawks goal was disallowed because of offside. Shortly thereafter, Naci put the Bears in front. It was a lead SJBK held on to for much of the first half before the visitors drew level in the 41'.

The deadlock remained 1-1 until a foul in the box led to a Hunter penalty, which was converted by midfielder Bradley Espejo. St. Joseph's would have chances to draw the match level but could not capitalize as the Hawks saw out the 2-1 win.

For the Bears

• Naci's goal extends his team lead to five. His five shots in the match led the squad.

• Francisco Garcia (Brooklyn, N.Y./Park Slope Collegiate) and Emiliano Avalos (North Bellmore, N.Y./Wellington C. Mepham) each finished with a pair of shots and a shot on target.

• Pablo Mejia (Elmhurst, N.Y./Academy of Finance and Enterprise), Lorenzo LaRosa (Astoria, N.Y./Monsignor McClancy), and Frank Arevelo (Astoria, N.Y./Gramercy Arts) combined for six shots (two each).

• Leonel Bravo (Astoria, N.Y./Queens Vocational and Technical) faced four shots and made a pair of saves.

For the Bears

The Bears hit the road for the first time this season, taking a trip to the Bronx for their non-conference finale against Lehman College on Saturday, September 17. Live stats and video will be available on sjbkathletics.com/live from 2 p.m.