ITHACA, N.Y. – The Cornell men's soccer team edged out a scrappy Saint Joseph's squad on Friday night at Berman Field, defeating SJU by a final score of 2-1. Freshman Matthew Goncalves scored his first career goal when it mattered most to put the Big Red ahead late in the match.
 
Cornell (2-1-0) out-shot St. Joe's 21-14 overall and 11-8 in shots on goal. The Big Red out-possessed SJU, holding 57 percent of the match's time of possession.
 
"For most teams they have one or two games over the course of a season where they can say they got away with one, and I think we had one of those tonight," head coach John Smith said. "Even though we out-shot them I don't think I could have complained if we came off the field with a draw. We are fortunate to have come out of there with a win tonight."
 
The Big Red took an early 1-0 lead in the 19th minute of action when a foul just outside the box set-up fifth year Tyler Bagley for a free kick opportunity. Shooting from the top of the 18, Bagley bent the ball past the St. Joe's wall and found the upper 90 on the left side of the net. It was the
 
"His finishing is phenomenal," Smith said of Bagley. "Last fall when we were doing more individual training he mostly focused on his finishing. When he went away with the Boston Bolts you saw a guy who grew his level of confidence."
 
After Cornell took a 1-0 lead into halftime, SJU found an equalizer in the 65th minute. The high press paid off for St. Joe's when Alvin Dahn forced a turnover near the Big Red net. Dahn found Matias Mancini for a goal made easy by some miscommunication from Cornell.
 
Bagley came through for the Big Red once again in the 75th minute. Serving a corner kick to the near post, the punch out by SJU's goalkeeper ricocheted off Goncalves and into the back of the net. It was the first career goal for Goncalves and the 10th career assist for Bagley as Cornell took a 2-1 lead.
 
Both goalkeepers stood on their heads Friday night, with junior Brady McSwain making a career-high seven saves and SJU goalkeeper Luis Ludosan making nine. McSwain owns a .789 save percentage for the season and has made 15 saves in three starts.
 
Up Next: Cornell remains at home this weekend when it meets UC Santa Barbara (3-1-1) on Sunday, September 12 at 7 p.m.
 
Assistant director of athletic communications Austin Overmann is in his 3rd year as his office's primary contact for the team. He can be reached at ao437@cornell.edu.
 
Starting IX:
 
GK: Brady McSwain
D: Jonah Kagen
D: Henry Hylbert
D: Mateo Rodriguez
D: Kisa Kiingi
M: Harry Fuller
M: Wilson Eisner
M: Lalo Serrano
M: Tyler Bagley
F: Charles Touche
F: Emeka Eneli