PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – A difficult opening half put Pace University Men's Soccer in a hole it could not escape Saturday night, as the Setters fell 7-0 to No. 5 Southern New Hampshire University in Northeast 10 Conference action at Northwell Stadium. Pace moved to 4-2-3 overall and 0-2-1 in conference play.
No. 5 SNHU struck just 49 seconds into the match and continued to apply pressure throughout the opening half. Pace responded with three attempts in a span of less than 10 seconds in the fifth minute, including a Daniel Santos shot that was turned away, but the Setters could not find an equalizer.
The Penmen added three more goals between the 17th and 20th minutes to take control. Joe Zweben faced consistent pressure in goal and made nine first-half saves, but SNHU added three goals over the final four minutes of the period to take a 7-0 advantage into halftime.
Pace settled in after the break and held the nationally ranked Penmen scoreless for the entire second half. Emilio Hernandez-Araujo took over in goal and stopped the lone shot on target he faced.
The Setters generated more pressure of their own after halftime, earning all five of their corner kicks in the second half. Luca Porro put an attempt on target in the 71st minute before Viktor Noaksson forced another save in the 83rd.
Santos led Pace with two shots on goal, while Alex Squillacioti, Porro and Noaksson each added one. The Setters finished with seven shots, five on target and five corner kicks.
The Setters return to the road Tuesday, Sept. 29, when they travel to Garden City, N.Y., to face Adelphi University in Northeast 10 Conference action at 7:00 p.m.
