A year removed from a record-breaking night, the Stony Brook men’s soccer chased history yet again in an offensive outburst.
The Seawolves (2-4-3, 0-2-2 CAA) dominated the St. Joseph’s Golden Eagles (5-1-2, 4-0 Skyline) on Tuesday at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. Stony Brook made easy work of its NCAA Division III opponent, dismantling them 6-0.
It started in the 16th minute for the Seawolves, as midfielder Moses Bakabulindi was the first to get on the scoreboard. Dribbling down the left side of the pitch, forward Finlay Oliver slipped past two St. Joseph’s defenders, threading the needle with a pass to defender Jamari Busby. A poor touch from Busby sent the ball into a frenzy before he regained possession and lobbed it to Bakabulindi, who slid in to tap the ball past St. Joseph’s goalkeeper Giuseppe Vitale.
Less than 20 minutes later, a cross from midfielder Ryota Kono found Oliver just outside the goalie box. Oliver rocketed a shot right past Vitale, putting Stony Brook up 2-0.
In the 54th minute, a foul from St. Joseph’s midfielder James Dacos handed the Seawolves another corner. A line-drive corner kick from midfielder Alex Fléury was headed in by forward Jonas Bičkus, who lept up to get a touch on the ball.
Six minutes later, forward Gabriel Ferreira joined in on the action, as Bičkus set him up for a finish that Vitale had no chance of saving, notching the score at 4-0.
The offensive onslaught continued, as in quick succession, midfielder Trevor Harrison and defender Nicholas Wilson had goals of their own in the 66th and 68th minute, respectively.
“It’s always good to score goals, especially as streaky people,” head coach Ryan Anatol said. “It’s good for them to hit the back of the net and help build confidence but overall, it was about the performance and you want to feel good about that performance.”
The Seawolves demolished the Golden Eagles on paper, tallying 30 shots (16 on goal) to St. Joseph’s five (two on goal).
Bičkus was one of the headliners for Stony Brook, tallying a goal and two assists. Bakabulindi and Oliver both contributed a goal as well, as the latter had an assist of his own. Off the bench, Ferreira, Wilson and Harrison all had a goal apiece.
Fléury pitched in with two assists and midfielder Kyle Smith had one assist on the night.
Despite allowing six goals, Vitale had 10 saves on the night. Opposite him, goalkeeper Rushon Sandy earned another clean sheet.
The Seawolves will hit the road next, returning to conference play on Saturday against the Campbell Fighting Camels. The Camels — who are 5-2-4 overall and 1-1-1 in the Coastal Athletic Association — are coming off a 3-1 win against Longwood. Opening kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
