MEN’S SOCCER NOTCHES 2-1 WIN IN HOME OPENER

BOSTON, Mass. – Emmanuel College's sophomore midfielder David Field (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) scored in the 89^th minute to lift the Saints over Daniel Webster College, 2-1, in the men's soccer home opener at Roberto Clemente Field on Saturday afternoon.  The host Saints had entered the game winless and now improve to 1-3 on the season.   The visiting Eagles were off to their best start in program-history, but fall to 2-1 with the setback.  Emmanuel now leads the all-time series between these two teams, 6-2.

The hard-fought, but chippy game featured a scoreless first half with Emmanuel dominating play for much of the first 45 minutes. The Saints had a couple of great scoring opportunities in the early-going.  Midway through the opening frame, senior defender Kevin Esposito (Gales Ferry, Conn.) took a shot on a diving header off a corner kick by Field, but the bid slammed off the far-side post.  With just under 17 minutes remaining in the half, sophomore forward Stefano Sainato (Albany, N.Y.) fired off a shot on a breakaway that sailed just over the crossbar.  The Saints held an 8-4 shooting advantage in the first half, but the two teams took a 0-0 tie into the break.

Following a perfectly placed corner kick by Field at 58:35, freshman Jeff Allen's (South Windsor, Conn.) header went just wide and the Saints missed out on another great opportunity to strike first. Less than two minutes later, Emmanuel was able to find the scoreboard, netting the Saints' first goal of the season.  Senior midfielder Danny Richman (Medfield, Mass.) sent a cross through to Sainato and he drilled a rocket past Eagles keeper Sean Hamilton (Brookline, N.H.) to put EC up, 1-0.

Daniel Webster had a great chance to tie things up with ten minutes remaining, but Erick Germano's (Lowell, Mass.) direct kick was punched out by Emmanuel keeper Garrett Charette (West Springfield, Mass.).  Seconds later, however, the Eagles were successful on a corner kick opportunity.  Senior defender Erick Bourdeau (Alton Bay, N.H.) headed in a corner by junior midfielder Joey Morgan (Windham, N.H.) for the game-tying goal at 81:02.

After a diving save by Charette with just under seven minutes to play, Emmanuel sophomore Kurt Pruner (Penfield, N.Y.) headed out what would have been the go-ahead goal for Daniel Webster to keep things knotted at 1-1.  With time winding down, the contest appeared to be destined for overtime.

Field's heroics came with 1:19 showing on the game clock.   Richman, who had his foot in both Emmanuel goals, sent a cross to Field, who fired his shot past DWC goalie Sal Santa Maria (Thomaston, Conn.), who had replaced Hamilton in net for the final twenty minutes of action.  This was Field's fourth career goal and first collegiate game-winning marker.  The Eagles were not able to manufacture any shots following Field's goal and the Saints held on for the 2-1 win.

The evenly matched contest featured a 22-19 shooting advantage by the Saints, with the Eagles holding a 13-9 lead in shots-in-goal.  The corner kick opportunities were fairly even at 8-7, Saints.  The two teams combined for 22 fouls and 5 yellow cards in the battle.

Charette notched the win for the Saints, going the full 90 minutes and making 12 stops.  Hamilton made 6 saves in his 69:51 minutes of action for the Eagles.  Santa Maria made one save and allowed the game-winning goal in his 20:09.

Today's game was the first in a series of seven-straight home contests for the Saints.  Emmanuel will host Wheaton College this coming Tuesday night (9/10) in a 7:00 PM start.   The Eagles will play next at UMass Dartmouth on Wednesday (9/11) at 3:30 PM.