STONY BROOK, N.Y. - The Stony Brook University men's soccer team fell to LIU, 2-1, in the 2023 season opener at LaValle Stadium on Thursday evening. Graduate student Edmond Kaiser made a career-high 11 saves in a losing effort for the Seawolves.
The Sharks opened the scoring in the seventh minute of action on the opening night of NCAA Soccer at LaValle Stadium; Mathew Salinas put home a rebound after the initial shot from Emil Jaaskelainen was knocked away by Edmond Kaiser.
Later on in the first half the Seawolves were the beneficiary of an LIU mishap, finding the equalizer on an own goal. Trevor Harrison played a cross into the box that found the right foot of Papa Sow, who tried to clear the danger but inadvertently put it into his own net.
The score held level through the end of the first half and for another 20-plus minutes thanks mainly to the play of Kaiser in goal, who made six of his career-high 11 saves in the second half.
LIU broke through for what proved to be the game-winner in the 74th minute when Jaaskelainen played a perfect ball across the box that Ben Assane Fall headed home. The Seawolves had one last late chance, a left-footed rocket from
Amit Magoz just beyond the box that sailed just high over the crossbar and out.
STATS AND NOTES
- Kaiser made double-digit saves for the first time in his career, posting a new career-best mark with 11. Seven of Kaiser's 11 saves came in the second half.
- LIU out-shot Stony Brook 24-10 with a 13-4 edge in shots on goal.
- The Seawolves and Sharks met in the season opener for the third consecutive season, with LIU getting the better of Stony Brook for the second straight year. Stony Brook moves to 2-6-1 all-time against LIU.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"We moved the ball really well; I thought we played a lot of the game in their half," head coach Ryan Anatol noted postgame. "Ultimately, I thought we put together a good 45 minutes. We've gotta do a little bit more to create some more chances to win the game."
NEXT UP
Stony Brook returns to the pitch on Monday evening, hosting Iona at 6:31 p.m. from LaValle Stadium. Monday's match will be streamed live on FloFC. The Seawolves have defeated the Gaels in three of the last four meetings.
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