Box Score

ALBANY, N.Y. - The Daemen College men's soccer team got their 2014 season kicked off with a bang today, scoring a 2-1, come-from-behind victory on the road over the College of St. Rose today at Pulmeri Sports Complex.  Second-half tallies from sophomores Nick Sammarco (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) and Cole Beale (Hamburg, N.Y./Hamburg) paved the way for the Wildcats while the host Golden Knights of the Northeast-10 Conference dropped to 0-1-1 on the young season.

"The guys faced a tough team today and did well to remain organized to be successful at the end of regulation," said Daemen head coach Mark Spacone.

Nick Iuorno put St. Rose on top in the 22nd minute of the contest with his high shot from the top of the box for his first tally of the season.  The teams went to the half that way as St. Rose led in total shots 9-5 in the period.

But, the second half was a different story.  Sammarco picked up the first goal of his career to knot the score in the 58th minute.  He took a short pass on a Daemen corner kick opportunity and dribbled to the top of the box where he struck a shot into the lower right corner of the net.

Not long thereafter in the 67th minute, Beale came through with his first goal of the season, and the second of his career which would prove to be the difference.  Beale broke up the left side and fired a shot on the ground into the lower right corner to put Daemen ahead for good.

Senior goalkeeper Matt Daddario (Amherst, N.Y./Sweet Home) made two saves in each period, including one in the 75th minute on a shot by Ercan Kilic which helped preserve the one-goal edge for the Wildcats.  The Daemen defense also thwarted a St. Rose corner kick opportunity in the 85th minute, helping to keep the hosts at bay down the stretch.

Today's win marked Daemen's second consecutive win in season openers.  Last year, the Wildcats downed longtime rival Roberts Wesleyan College in thrilling fashion, winning 3-2 in overtime.  Daemen has now won five of their last six season openers overall.

The result today also marked the first win for the Wildcats since Sept. 22, 2007 in which they were trailing at halftime.  That win, a 2-1 final like today's, came on the road in double overtime against William Carey University in Tupelo, Miss.  Tim Renschler (Watkins Glen, N.Y./Watkins Glen) got the equalizer early in the second half and Mike Wild (Great Valley, N.Y./Home-Schooled) netted the game winner in the 106th minute.  Ironically, Wild is now Daemen's Director of Athletic Facilities/Assistant Athletic Trainer.

Daemen looks to move to 2-0 when the Wildcats make another trek east on the New York State Thruway to face Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y. this Wednesday, Sept. 10.  Game time is set for 4:30 p.m. from Le Moyne's Ted Grant Field.  Live video and stats will be available as the Wildcats look for redemption after last year's 3-0 defeat to the Dolphins.  Look for a full game preview to be posted this Tuesday at wildcats.daemen.edu where you can find all the latest breaking news for the Daemen men's soccer team all season long.