LORETTO, PENNSYLVANIA - Alex De Nittis needed just 28 minutes and 48 seconds to unlock New Haven's defense, slotting home the opening goal that would set off a five-goal barrage by Saint Francis in their 5-1 conference victory. The home side's dominance was evident before 247 fans at the Saint Francis University Soccer Complex, where they have now won five straight matches.
The early breakthrough set the tone for what became a one-way contest, with New Haven struggling to contain the hostility of the Saint Francis attack. The visitors managed just three shots on target across 90 minutes, while Saint Francis goalkeeper Mauricio Machado had an easy afternoon, making just three saves. Álvaro Planas would later capitalize on Saint Francis's momentum, scoring twice in a two-minute span.
Saint Francis controlled the game's rhythm from the outset, dictating possession and creating scoring opportunities through their midfield orchestrated by Julian Quiroga. The visitors, meanwhile, were forced to absorb pressure, withstanding wave after wave of Saint Francis attacks. New Haven's best chance of the half came in the 42nd minute when their forward finally managed to breach the Saint Francis defense, only to see his effort saved by Machado.
The first half ended with Saint Francis leading 1-0, but the second half would prove to be their masterpiece. Just 69 minutes into the match, Álvaro Planas doubled the lead, finishing a beautifully weighted through ball from Alex De Nittis and Julian Quiroga. The Spanish forward would score again just 92 seconds later, this time assisted by Nathan Katari, leaving New Haven reeling.
The visitors' defense was in tatters, and Saint Francis took full advantage. Guilherme Meira made it 4-0 in the 76th minute, and De Nittis completed his hat-trick just 32 seconds later, slotting home his second goal of the match. New Haven finally got on the scoreboard in the 88th minute, but it was too little, too late.
The statistical ledger reveals a closely contested battle in terms of shot attempts, with Saint Francis edging New Haven 10-11 overall, but the home side held a commanding 7-3 advantage in shots on target. Both teams earned six corner kicks each, though neither capitalized on their set-piece opportunities. New Haven's Guilherme Oliveira was shown a yellow card in the 65th minute for a cynical foul.
The victory represents more than three points for Saint Francis; it cements their position at the top of their conference with a perfect 5-0 record. Their five-match winning streak continues unabated, and they now look ahead to their next challenge against Howard. For New Haven, the loss extends their losing streak to three games, and they will look to regroup against Le Moyne.
Looking ahead, the paths diverge sharply for these two teams. Saint Francis will look to maintain their conference dominance, while New Haven will need to regroup and address their defensive vulnerabilities. The afternoon belonged to Saint Francis—and specifically to Alex De Nittis, whose two goals and assist epitomized their dominance.
Key Players:
Alex De Nittis (Saint Francis) – Scored twice and assisted Álvaro Planas's first goal, showcasing his clinical finishing and playmaking abilities. Álvaro Planas (Saint Francis) – Doubled Saint Francis's lead with two goals in a two-minute span, capitalizing on the momentum established by his teammates.
Julian Quiroga (Saint Francis) – Orchestrated Saint Francis's midfield control, providing the assist for De Nittis's first goal and dictating the tempo of the match.
Guilherme Meira (Saint Francis) – Scored the fourth goal, further demoralizing New Haven's defense and highlighting Saint Francis's attacking prowess.