Box Score STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Needing a spark late in the game, freshman forward Jonas Bickus found the back of the net for the first time in his Seawolves career to lift his new team over the LIU Sharks 1-0 in the season opener at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. The only freshman starting on opening day, Bickus' clutch solo goal with 8:21 remaining in the game clinched the victory.
The Sharks outshot the Seawolves seven to zero in the first half, but a bend-don't-break defensive effort from Stony Brook kept LIU to only one shot on goal. Junior goalkeeper Edmond Kaiser made the save in his first start on the year to keep the scoresheet a clean 0-0 after 45 minutes.
The action picked up in the second half, as both teams traded shots near goal to start the second half. In the end, it was the freshman in his first collegiate game and a late double-post for the Sharks that were the deciding factors.
STATS AND NOTES
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Bickus' tally came on his only shot of the match, recording 78 minutes of action.
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Five different Seawolves recorded a shot, with Saevar Fylkisson and Selcuk Kahveci joining Jonas in putting the ball on frame.
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Kaiser's clean sheet was the fifth of his career and first since a 2-0 win over NJIT on March 12.
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Stony Brook's victory was the first at home since October 26, 2019, a 3-2 win over rival UAlbany.
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The hosts maintained 52 percent of the possession and produced a 3-2 advantage in shots on target.
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Bas Beckhoven joined Bickus in making his collegiate debut on the night, totaling 14 minutes of playing time.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"It's great to start the season off with a win," said Coach Ryan Anatol. "Good to get a clean sheet, that's something that we've talked a lot about. Putting yourself in a position to win games. I thought we defended well tonight. We had a goal off a set piece. Good to see Jonas get on the scoresheet, so a lot of positives."
"I feel excited, I feel happy, I can't describe my feeling now," Bickus said. "The most important thing is that we won. Clean sheet, that's what you wanted and I can tell you that the reason we won is because we worked hard."
NEXT UP
The Seawolves will next look to defend their home in the "Battle of Long Island'' as the Hofstra Pride travel across the Nassau-Suffolk border on Monday, August 30 at 6 p.m at LaValle Stadium. The event is free and open to the public!
For an inside look at the Stony Brook men's soccer program, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
