Men’s Soccer defeats Saints to take sole claim for first in GNAC Standings

Goals from Matteo Polisi and Dzenan Bezdrob give Clan the edge in 3-2 win away from home

by Beau Chevalier

Image Credit: Austin Cozicar

LACEY, WA — Another game-winning goal for SFU’s top scorer Matteo Polisi gave SFU the sole claim for first place in the GNAC standings, as they defeated Saint Martin’s in a hotly contested match.

SFU recorded an impressive fifth straight win considering they were missing both Adam and Kyle Jones who have started regularly this season for the Clan.

Head coach Clint Schneider’s men got off to a slow start against the Saints as the home side looked to run the show in the early stages of the match. The Saints took the lead in the 34th minute after SFU goalkeeper Miguel Hof saved Kyle Witzel’s initial header, only for Witzel to finish the rebound putting Saint Martin up 1-0.

The Clan looked to mount a quick reply in the 41st minute as they were awarded a penalty kick after a SMU foul following the Clan’s corner kick. Matteo Polisi stepped up to the spot and netted his ninth goal of the campaign, evening the sides at 1-1 heading into halftime.

SFU took the lead in the 64th minute after Connor Glennon’s cross found Dzenan Bezdrob at the back post, who converted the shot from ten yards with his second goal of the season, putting the Clan up 2-1.

The Clan didn’t hold the lead for long however as SMU equalized 2-2 in the 74th minute, after Brandon Madsen’s diving effort beat Miguel Hof following a cross from Saint’s Sebastian Navarro.

Matteo Polisi stole the spotlight once again as he received the ball from Bezdrob and beat two Saints players before placing the ball past goalkeeper Griffin Small to put SFU up 3-2 in the 77th minute, claiming yet another away win for the Clan.

Polisi leads the GNAC in game-winning goals with five, three more than anyone else in the conference.

THURSDAY: SFU will look to continue their winning streak against the Montana State Billings in their third straight away contest. The Yellowjackets are coming off a 3-2 win against Seattle Pacific, but SFU will be confident heading into this match having scored seven goals in their last three outings.

The Clan will need to continue their winning ways to remain in first place, as the GNAC winners receive an automatic berth into the NCAA Division II playoffs.