Rockville Centre, N.Y. – Propelled by two goals from sophomore Gio Fabiano, the Molloy men's soccer team defeated the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia, 2-1, Wednesday evening at John A. Darcy Field. The Lions improved to 3-2-4 overall and 2-0-1 in ECC play, while the Firebirds dropped to 4-4-1 overall and 0-2 in league play.
 
How it Happened

• UDC wasted no time getting onto the scoreboard, as they found the back of the net 1:05 into the contest to take a 1-0 lead.
• Over the second 15 minutes of action, neither team recorded a shot as both teams' back line settled into the game.
• The 18^th minute saw Molloy have their first scoring chance, when Fabiano put a shot high.
• One minute later following a throw in from Junior Danny Muir, Fabiano blasted the game-tying goal into the back of the net to knot the contest at one.
• UDC attacker Axel Gamez looked to retake the lead in the 27^th minute, but graduate student goalkeeper Nick Conklu denied the chance.
• The Firebirds would have a pair of shots blocked in the final 10 minutes of the first half, sending the game to halftime tied, 1-1.
• The Lions opened the second stanza with a chance to take the lead. Freshman Adam Lesniewski had his shot saved by UDC goalkeeper Javier Abadia Torres.
• In the 61^st minute, sophomore Ollie Murch connected a cross field pass with his fellow sophomore counterpart Fabiano, who headed in the go-ahead goal. Molloy pushed ahead, 2-1.
• 10 minutes later, UDC had an opportunity to knot the contest at two, but Conklu shut the door to keep Molloy ahead.
• With 78:00 on the clock, Muir looked to seal the game, but put his shot just wide of the far post.
• UDC would not generate another shot for the final 12 minutes of the contest, as the Molloy backline kept everything in front to solidify the victory, 2-1. 

Top Performances

• Fabiano collected his second career two-goal game.
• Muir tallied his second assist of the season.
• Murch dished out his first assist of the 2022 campaign.
• In goal, Conklu made two saves.

 
Up Next
Molloy continues its home stand Saturday, September 24^th as they welcome first-place Mercy College to Rockville Centre. Kick-off against the Mavericks is set for 12:00 p.m.