MEN’S SOCCER

While the Forester men’s soccer team has owned the series against Saint Francis in recent years by going 7-1-2 against their neighbors to the northeast, the rivalry is undeniable. Wednesday afternoon was no different as Joao Ratinho’s goal with three minutes remaining lifted his team to a 2-1 win over the Cougars at King Stadium.

The game-winner couldn’t have been more picture perfect. After Paulo Filho served a penetrating ball from midfield to Tiago Costa, he cleverly crossed it into the box for Ratinho who smashed it back netting for his second game-winner of the year. The sophomore forward has 11 goals to his name so far this season.

Ratinho also played a role in HU’s first goal when he got a half step on his defender and ripped a shot off the post that Costa pounced on for the easy tap in five minutes into the second half. Huntington had several quality looks shortly after that they couldn’t finish which left the door open for their guests who took full advantage of a scramble in the box for the equalizer less than ten minutes later.

When all the dust settled, shots favored Huntington 16-9 and all three goals were scored after intermission. Pedro Moreira finished with four saves which included getting his hands on a ball that looked like it was going to sail into the back of the net with just a few ticks remaining.

“This was a fantastic result against a very gritty and much-improved Saint Francis team,” said Coach Russ Lawson. “I’m proud of the way we stayed together during the second half when we missed some opportunities. We kept working for each other and then finally broke through with just a few minutes remaining.”

With this win, the Foresters improve to  11-5-1 overall, 4-3-1 in league play. With one regular season game remaining, HU is sitting in fourth place in the CL standings. Huntington’s final game is Saturday at home against Goshen.