Manchester, N.H. (August 25) – The Saint Anselm men’s soccer team fell to the Lions of Saint Leo University 4-1 in a non-conference Saturday afternoon game at Melucci Field. The loss drops the Hawks to 0-1-1 overall, 0-0-0 NE10, and improves Saint Leo to 1-0-1 overall, 0-0-0 SSC.

Saint Leo jumped on top 1-0 in the 18th minute, as Eusebio Montoya (Smithfield, N.C.) headed in a Brandon Whitsett (Palm Harbor, Fla.) cross from the left side. The Lions quickly added a second goal at the 26:57 mark when Montoya and Whitsett switched roles, with Whitsett scoring the goal and Montoya recording the assist.

The Hawks responded later in the first half when Sam Lamptey (Worcester, Mass.) netted his first goal of the season, assisted by Dave Hugel (Simsbury, Conn.). The Hawks, revitalized by the goal, played a hard final 10 minutes of the first half but were unable to cash in on any chances, leaving the score 2-1 at halftime.

The second half began as the first half ended, with the Hawks putting pressure on the Saint Leo defense, but the Lions turned the tides late in the half. Montoya added his second goal of the game at the 79:11 mark making the score 3-1, assisted by Kyle Kuhlman (St. Petersburg, Fla.). The Lions put the game away when Daniel Asher (Silver Spring, Md.) netted the fourth goal at the 86:35 mark.

Goalkeeper John Corridan (Holliston, Mass.) played well in the loss for the Hawks, with five saves in the second half, including one full-body extension save early in the second half to keep the Hawks in the game.

The Hawks return to action hosting Southern Connecticut on Saturday, Sept. 1 at 1:00 p.m. at Melucci Field.