Pride Soccer Controls Second Half for Home Victory

WESTON, Mass. – After a scoreless first half, Regis College controlled the play after halftime on its way to a 4-0 victory over Lesley University Wednesday evening in a non-conference men's collegiate soccer match at Regis Stadium.

After taking just two shots in the first 45 minutes, the Pride took 15 shots in the second half to finish with a 17-8 shot advantage over the Lynx. Santiago Pedraza Novak (Bogota, Colombia) took two shots in the first three minutes of the second half as Regis started applying the pressure to the Lesley defense.

In the 52^nd minute, Jacob Freitas (Dracut, Mass.) collected the ball at midfield and raced through the Lynx defenders before sending a shot past the goalie into the net for his second goal of the season. The Pride kept attacking, as Freitas and Aidan Falvey (Medford, Mass.) both took shots that Lesley goalie Michael Bolduc was forced to contend with.

Zack Acciardo (Derry, N.H.) made his way into the box in the 68^th minute and drew a Lesley foul, creating a penalty kick opportunity. Acciardo converted on the chance for his second career goal. The Pride added a third tally in the 75^th minute as Alfred Bresnahan (Marblehead, Mass.) set up Pedraza Novak for his first goal of the year.

The final Regis goal came in the 82^nd minute when Falvey fired a long lead pass up the field, allowing Pedraza Novak to corral it close to the net and cross it towards Freitas. Freitas converted on the open net opportunity for his second goal of the afternoon.

Ivan Ramirez (San Juan, Puerto Rico) made two saves as he earned the victory, with first-year player Kyle Weidemann (Piscataway, N.J.) playing the final four minutes of the contest in net. Bolduc finished with four saves for the Lynx, three of them coming in the second half.

Ian Charles led the Lynx with three total shots, followed by Daniel Canellys and Daniel Monteserin with two shots apiece. Pedraza Novak led all players with six total shots, while all three of Freitas's shots were on goal.

This was the 16^th meeting all-time between Regis and Lesley as the Pride have faced the Lynx more times in men's soccer than any other opponent. It is the first victory for Regis on its home field over Lesley, with the Lynx winning seven previous matches in Weston along with a tie.

Regis College (2-0) opens conference play at home against Anna Maria Saturday, Sept. 11, starting at 3 p.m. Also on Saturday, Lesley University (0-3) hosts Salem State beginning at 4:30 p.m.