WALTHAM, Mass. — Senior forward Alberto Franceschi (Caracas, Venezuela) scored with less than eight minutes left in the match to give the Wheaton College (Mass.) men's soccer team a 1-0 victory over host Brandeis University this evening on Gordon Field in Waltham, Mass.
The Lyons win their second straight 1-0 decision to improve to 2-1-3 on the season, while the Judges fall to 1-3-2.
Wheaton dominated possession during the match with a wide shot advantage of 22-6, although only eight of the Lyons' attempts were on frame. Wheaton also maintained an 8-2 margin on corner kicks. The Lyons' defense did not allow a shot on net from Brandeis.
Wheaton tallied the only goal of the match in the 83rd minute on a give-and-go to take a 1-0 lead. Franceschi carried the ball into the top of the right side of the box, before sending a low cross to senior Luke Strange (Portland, Ore.) at the top left corner of the box. Franceschi cut to the left side of the box, before Strange connected with the return cross and Franceschi uncorked a hard shot that found pay dirt inside the left post for the only marker of the contest with 7:40 left to play in the match.
The Judges had a chance to tie in the final minutes of the match with a centering cross from the end line, but they were unable to capitalize, leaving the Lyons with the evening's only score.
Wheaton held a 10-1 shooting advantage in the opening half, but was unable to break through. The Lyons' best opportunities came in the 42nd minute, when Franceschi and senior midfielder Gavin Mahoney (Carlsbad, Calif.) each hit the crossbar on consecutive shots.
Wheaton continued its momentum into the second half when Strange fired a shot ticketed for the upper 90, but it was deflected by the home keeper over the crossbar.
The marker was the first of the season for Franceschi, who had four shots off the bench for Wheaton. Strange helped the Lyons keep the offensive pressure on with a game-high six shots.
Senior forward Sancho Maroto Tobias (Acton, Mass.) led Brandeis with three shots.
Sophomore keeper Michael O'Gara (Ardmore, Pa.) was untested for the Lyons to register his fourth career blank sheet, while sophomore goalie Tyler Correnti (West Newbury, Mass.) turned away six attempts for the Judges.
Wheaton returns to action on Saturday, September 23 when it travels to New London, Conn. to play New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference rival United States Coast Guard Academy at 12:00 p.m., while Brandeis hosts Vassar College tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m.
