Fond Du Lac, Wis. – The Saint Scholastica Men's soccer team headed into Wisconsin once more, this time to square off against the Sabres of Marian University. Todays non-conference match ended with the Saints leaving Fond Du Lac after coming up short 3-0. 

How it Happened

First Half
The Saints generated chances early, using corner kicks to create sustained pressure in Marian's defensive zone. Gabriel Marchesoni (Surrey, Canada/) fired one of the Saints' first looks in the 29th minute, followed soon after by a shot from David Lopez (Jalisco, Mexico/Universidad de Guadalajara) that forced a save in the 35th. Keeper Ben Hallberg (Princeton, Minn./Princeton HS) was busy on the other end, coming up with big saves against the Sabres to keep the match level for most of the half.

Despite the defensive stand, Marian broke through just before halftime in the 44th minute to take a 1–0 lead into the break.

Second Half
The Saints came out energized after the restart. Lopez again put a dangerous shot on frame in the 47th, followed by Parker Chastey (Duluth, MN/Denfeld HS) testing the keeper in the 49th. Moments later, Marchesoni and Alexander Estrada-Cortez (Richfield, MN/Richfield HS) each forced saves as the Saints pressed for an equalizer.

Hallberg continued to shine in goal, finishing with six saves, including stops on point-blank efforts. On the offensive end, Vasco Carneiro (Lisbon, Portugal/) and Estrada-Cortez combined for late chances, while Ted Barker (Huntingdon, England/) nearly pulled one back with a shot in the 87th minute.

Marian extended its lead with goals in the 55th and 66th minutes, but the Saints never stopped pushing forward. A flurry of five second-half corner kicks gave the Saints opportunities down the stretch, keeping pressure on the Marian defense until the final whistle.

By the Numbers

• Shots: Saints 12 (5 on target) to Marian's 14 (9 on target)
• Corners: Saints 10, Marian 6
• Goalkeeping: Hallberg -- 6 Saves
• Attackers on Target: Marchesoni, Estrada-Cortez, Lopez, Chastey, and Barker

Whats Next
The Saints (0-3-1, 0-0 MIAC) will once again head deep into Wisconsin, this time to River Falls to face off against the Univeristy of Wisconsin River Falls Falcons (2-1). This game is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 11 at 4 p.m.

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