Molloy University Athletics

Flushing, N.Y. – Freshman Massimo Bruno provided a spark off the bench Saturday evening, tallying a second half brace to help the Molloy men's soccer team draw the Knights of Queens College, 2-2, at Varsity Soccer Field. As a result, the Lions move to 4-2-7 overall and 2-0-4 in East Coast Conference play, while the Knights sit at 10-4-2 overall and 3-2-1 in league play.
 
How it Happened

• Queens came out with an offensive furry, totaling four shots with two coming on goal in the opening eight minutes. Junior goalkeeper Callum Hunt came up with two saves in the opening minutes to keep the home team off the board.
• The Knights' pressure paid dividends in the ninth minute, putting together two goals in 34 seconds from Keithlend Cesar and Andrew Johnson to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
• The home team controlled the first half, outshooting the visitors, 9-0, over the opening 45 minutes to carry their two-goal advantage into halftime.
• Molloy found a spark from Bruno off the bench, as he recorded their first shot of the game in the 47^th minute that was blocked to force a corner.
• On the ensuing corner, senior Yahel Caudillo Paramo sent in an inswinging kick and connected with Bruno who came flying into the 18-yard box to head it into the back of the net to cut the Lions deficit in half, 2-1, in the 48^th minute.
• The cardinal and whites' offense began to find a groove with two consecutive chances under a minute apart between the 49^th and 50^th minutes. Freshman Mael Pierre Paul challenged for the contests tying goal, but his attempt was saved by Queens goalkeeper Thanasis Shehadeh.
• The home team regained control of the contest through the next 12 minutes, totaling three shots with one coming on goal that was saved by Hunt.
• In the 65^th minute, Bruno struck again, with a blistering shot into the upper corner from 25 yards out to knot the contest at two.
• A minute later, Queens looked to regain the lead, but Hunt was there to make a save to his right.
• After the Lions backline blocked a pair of shots from the Knights in the 72^nd minute, Bruno looked for his third goal of the second half, but his attempt would miss target.
• The 79^th minute saw the home team look for a game-winner with a low lining shot from Anton Mand that was saved by Hunt.
• Molloy sprinted back down the field in the 80^th minute. Junior Charlie Morgan looked to catch Shehadeh off-guard with a shot from 45 yards out, but the Queens goalkeeper made a comfortable save.
• The final chance of the evening came from the Knights in the 89^th minute, but a shot from Maddox Behnfeldt went wide ending the contest in a 2-2 draw.

Top Performances

• Bruno's two goals were the first two of his collegiate career, leading the team with four shots and two shots on goal.
• Caudillo Paramo collected his first assist of the year.
• In goal, Hunt made a season-high seven saves.

Up Next
Molloy concludes their three-game road trip Wednesday, October 21 in Rochester, New York as they travel to play Roberts Wesleyan. Kick-off is slated for 4:00 p.m.