OWENSBORO, Ky. — Jacobo Galvez scored in the first half and led a determined offensive effort for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, but the Pomeroys dropped a 3-1 decision to Brescia University on Thursday evening in River States Conference men's soccer action.
The Pomeroys (4-8-2, 1-3 RSC) outshot Brescia 10-8 and held a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal but could not overcome an early two-goal deficit. Galvez led the SMWC attack with six shots, including five on goal, while
Ivan Gelado Chavala added two shots on target.
Brescia established early pressure, forcing SMWC goalkeeper
Harry Jackson into a save on an attempt from Alvaro Morgado Rodriguez in the sixth minute. The Bearcats capitalized shortly afterward when Felipe Molina converted a scoring opportunity in the seventh minute off assists from Alessio Caruana and Jesse Waithaka.
Molina struck again in the 12th minute, finishing another opportunity set up by Caruana to extend the Brescia lead to 2-0.
The Pomeroys answered in the 18th minute when Galvez put an attempt on frame that Brescia goalkeeper Jonathan Tucker stopped. Galvez stayed with the play and found the back of the net at the 17:45 mark, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and bringing SMWC back into the contest.
The goal sparked additional offensive pressure from the Pomeroys.
Marc Valderrama sent a shot high in the 24th minute before Galvez forced another save from Tucker in the 37th minute. Gelado Chavala followed with a shot on goal in the 40th minute, but Tucker turned away the attempt to preserve Brescia's narrow advantage.
At the opposite end, Jackson helped keep the Pomeroys within striking distance, stopping a Brodie Finnie attempt in the 34th minute.
SMWC entered halftime trailing 2-1 despite matching Brescia with five shots in the opening 45 minutes.
The Pomeroys came out aggressively after the break, earning consecutive corner kicks from Andres Gomes in the 49th minute as they searched for an equalizer.
Gelado Chavala tested Tucker again in the 55th minute, forcing another save to keep the pressure on the Brescia defense.
SMWC continued generating opportunities midway through the second half. Galvez sent an attempt high in the 63rd minute before defender
Jacob Quintana nearly pulled the Pomeroys level in the 64th minute, directing a header off the post.
The near miss proved costly when Brescia extended its advantage in the 68th minute. Javi Fernandez Albandrea scored off an assist from Jose Martins at the 67:09 mark, giving the Bearcats a 3-1 lead.
Despite the two-goal deficit, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods continued pushing forward. Jackson denied Molina in the 69th minute to prevent another Brescia score, while the Pomeroys generated additional attacking opportunities through Galvez.
Galvez forced Tucker into saves in the 77th and 78th minutes, with the Pomeroys earning a corner kick between those attempts.
Ethan Johnson delivered the corner opportunities as SMWC continued applying pressure in the attacking third.
The Pomeroys earned another corner in the 81st minute but could not find a second goal before the final whistle.
Galvez finished with a team-high six shots and five shots on goal to go along with his first-half score. Gelado Chavala was perfect in putting both of his attempts on target, while Valderrama and Quintana each contributed a shot.
Jackson played all 90 minutes in goal for SMWC, finishing with three saves. Tucker recorded six saves for Brescia, while Molina paced the Bearcats with two goals.
SMWC held a 10-8 advantage in total shots and a 7-6 edge in shots on goal. The Pomeroys also generated six corner kicks, including five in the second half, compared to seven for Brescia.
Up Next
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods returns home Sunday, Oct. 18, to host Midway University in River States Conference action at McMahon Field.
Kickoff is scheduled for
3:30 p.m. ET in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind.
