ELSAH, IL – The Principia men's soccer team earned a dramatic 1-0 home win over Fontbonne University in Tuesday evening's conference battle. After both teams battled without a breakthrough for nearly the entire match, it was
Diego de Manuel Romero who delivered the decisive moment of magic with a perfectly struck free kick in the 89th minute to give the Panthers their first home victory of the season.
The match was a back-and-forth contest, with Principia controlling much of the first half, outshooting Fontbonne 12-5. The Panthers' best early chance came from a
Parker Boyce free kick that forced a strong diving save from Griffins keeper Dominic Haggard. Fontbonne nearly took the lead late in the second half when they earned a penalty kick in the 80th minute, but the shot sailed over the goal. Just moments later,
Nacho Cachaza almost put Principia ahead with a header that rattled off the crossbar.
With two minutes left on the clock, Fontbonne committed a foul just outside the box, setting up a golden opportunity for Principia. Romero stepped up and calmly curled the ball over the Griffins' wall and into the top right corner past a diving Haggard to win the game.
Stalwart defensive play from Principia's back line of
Leander Linsler,
Nacho Cachaza,
Murilo Nascimento, and
Christian Tresoldi was key to victory, along with four saves from goalkeeper
Jacob Ellis as he earned his first solo clean sheet of the season.
Principia improved to 1-0-1 in SLIAC play and will head to Westminster College on Saturday for their next conference test. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm after the women's game is finished.
