Strong Blue Jays Second Half Pushes USJ (CT) Past Emmanuel in GNAC Match

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Emmanuel College (1-6-1 GNAC) fell 5-2 to the University of St. Joseph (CT) (7-0-1 GNAC) on Saturday afternoon in GNAC play at the USJ Athletics Complex. The two sides were level at the break before the Blue Jays erupted for three second half goals to take the victory.

Strong Blue Jays Second Half Pushes USJ (CT) Past Emmanuel in GNAC Match
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September 30, 2023

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Emmanuel College (1-6-1 GNAC) fell 5-2 to the University of St. Joseph (CT) (7-0-1 GNAC) on Saturday afternoon in GNAC play at the USJ Athletics Complex. The two sides were level at the break before the Blue Jays erupted for three second half goals to take the victory.

The Saints opened the match's scoring when Guilherme Silva (Malden, Mass.) found the back of the net for his first career goal, putting the Saints in the lead through 25 minutes. The lead would last just 36 seconds as USJ equalized through Dane Stephens (Linstead, Jamaica) who has now scored in five consecutive matches.

Emmanuel responded in the 34th minute when Riley Rebello (Berkley, Mass.) grabbed his first career goal pushing the Saints back in front once again. The back and forth battle continued minutes later as Henry McGarrah (Hartford, Conn.) leveled the match for the Blue Jays just before the 40-minute mark. USJ would fire two more shots before the break but were unable to find a go-ahead goal before halftime.

The second half was all Blue Jays as the home side found the net three more times to secure the 5-2 victory. Emmanuel Ofori (East Hartford, Conn.) pushed USJ ahead six minutes into the second half. He added a second goal, and his 7th of the season, in the 75th minute. Michael Torres (Hartford, Conn.) sealed the three-goal win by finding the back of the net with just over four minutes to play. The Saints were outshot 13-5 in the final 45 minutes.

Saints' goalkeeper Maddox Pierce (Meriden, Conn.) finished the match with a season-high seven saves. USJ's Michael Torres added two assists to go along with his goal. Juan Torres (Hartford, Conn.) recorded his third assist of the season for the Blue Jays.

Emmanuel College returns to action Tuesday (10/3) at Clemente Field when Colby-Sawyer College visits for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff in GNAC play. The University of St. Joseph (CT) will matchup with GNAC opponent Johnson & Wales on Tuesday (10/3) at 4 p.m. in West Hartford.