Strong Second Half Lifts USJ Over Fisher, 3-2, On Senior Night

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) men's soccer team used a strong second half, scoring two goals to take down the visiting Fisher College Falcons, 3-2, during Senior Night this evening at the USJ Athletic Complex in West Hartford. After the game was tied at 1-1 entering the break, second-half strikes from Mergim Kutllovci (Thomaston, Conn.) and DeAnte Anderson (Bloomfield, Conn.) sealed the win for the Blue Jays.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: USJ 3, Fisher 2
Records: USJ (6-1-1), Fisher (1-7-1)
Location: USJ Athletic Complex (West Hartford, Conn.)

KEY MOMENTS

• The Blue Jays dominated the early portion of the game, generating numerous scoring chances. Mergim Kutllovci (Thomaston, Conn.) had a great opportunity in the 10th minute, generating space outside the box, but his effort sailed just high.
• USJ continued to pile on the pressure, as Valdet Nuredini (Watertown, Conn.) saw his shot fall into the arms of the Fisher goalkeeper. Daniel Castro (Willimantic, Conn.) would try his luck in the 14th minute, but his long-range strike also was directed at the Fisher keeper.
• Brian Silva (Naugatuck, Conn.) would have the best USJ chance in the first half, ripping a shot that was destined for the top left corner, but his strike was brilliantly saved by the Fisher goalkeeper.
• However, Fisher would take the lead in the 34th minute as Drake Hampton got on the end of a Juan Pablo Villalobos pass, firing his shot past USJ's goalkeeper Jose Miguel Garcia Martin (Madrid, Spain), giving the visitors the 1-0 lead.
• The Blue Jays wasted little time answering, scoring the equalizer four minutes later. Benjamin Marchetti (Higganum, Conn.) made a darting run, collecting a through ball before ripping his shot past the Fisher goalkeeper, levelling the game at 1-1. The score would remain tied as the game hit the halftime break.
• USJ came out the gates strong in the second half, finding a great goal scoring opportunity in the 50th minute. Michael Torres (Hartford Conn.) collected the ball, spinning around a defender before his low driven shot was well saved.
• The Blue Jays continued to pile on the pressure and were rewarded with their efforts in the 58th minute. Brian Silva (Naugatuck, Conn.) sent in a long-distance pass that was headed down by Elijah Rodriguez (Southington, Conn.) into the path of DeAnte Anderson (Bloomfield, Conn.). Anderson would find an empty net, easily tapping the ball in to give the Blue Jays a 2-1 advantage.
• USJ would come close to adding a third goal, but Dane Stephens (Jamaica) 63rd minute strike rattled off the post, keeping the score at 2-1.
• Mergim Kutllovci (Thomaston, Conn.) would provide the night's ultimate highlight, putting the icing on the cake after a sweet volley that nestled into the back of the net in the 71st minute. Dane Stephens (Jamiaca) provided the assist on the goal.
• Fisher would not go down easy, pulling one back with five minutes remaining in the half, cutting the score to 3-2.

QUOTABLE

"We are happy with the result tonight. The performance was always going to be a question due to Senior night and many changes to our lineup, but we showed a great deal of quality in the final third and should have converted more of those chances. Overall, this was a great evening to celebrate our senior class who have given us so many great memories," said head coach Paul Wright.

NOTES

• Tonight's match served as Senior Night for the Blue Jays, as Elijah Rodriguez, Joseph Colaccino, Mergim Kutllovci, Benjamin Marchetti, Daniel Castro, Elijah Rowland, Valdet Nuredini, Matthew Goebel, Anthony Delacruz, Michael Torres, Joel Agbetossou and Charles Mputu were honored prior to kickoff.
• Marchetti and Anderson recorded their seventh goal of the season each.
• Kutllovci netted his second goal of the year.
• Silva dished out his second assist of the year, while Rodriguez tallied his first assist of 2022.
• Stephens tallied his third helper of the campaign.
• The contest served as the fourth meeting all-time between USJ and Fisher, as USJ extended its lead in the series to 3-1.
• USJ also extended their unbeaten streak to six matches with the result.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays return to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play on Saturday, October 1, when it travels to face Saint Joseph's College (Me.). Kickoff between the Blue Jays and Monks is set for 4:30 p.m. at the SJC Athletics Complex in Standish, Maine.