Led by strong play from senior Leonardo Fernandes, Stony Brook continued its strong play at home, defeating Fordham 2-1 on Friday and dominating Buffalo 4-0 on Sunday.

Fernandes had a goal and an assist against Fordham, and contributed two goals against Buffalo.

“He brings a lot of quality, he’s a good attacking, creative player, and he can score goals,” head coach Ryan Anatol said of Fernandes. “But this year, Leo has been bringing good leadership as well, he’s really leading by example.”

On Friday, freshman Alejandro Fritz scored the opening goal in the 26th minute.

Fernandes beat a defender in the box and dished the ball to a wide-open Fritz on the left side, who blasted the ball past Fordham goalkeeper Sean Brailey.

“I saw Berian [Gobeil] made a run, he committed the defender,” Fernandes said. “Alejandro was by himself, and I laid it off for him, it was a great shot.”

Fordham’s Kalle Sotka would draw level in the 55th minute, drilling a cross from Kyle Bitterman into the top corner of the near post side.

Fernandes scored the game-winner in the 63rd minute on a counter, burying a cross from senior Antonio Crespi past Brailey.

“It was a great ball by Antonio,” Fernandes said. “It was a great counter, he just put it in the six yard.”

Fernandes also had a penalty attempt in the 86th minute, but was stopped by Brailey.

It was the first penalty Fernandes missed in his career, having previously been 7-7.

“It feels good, we’re just taking it one game at a time” Fernandes said after the game. “We’re just trying to rack up the wins, and trying to get a good record going into the conference games.”

On Sunday, Fernandes continued his strong play from Friday, scoring the opening goal in the 17th minute blasting a free kick past Buffalo goalkeeper Jonathan Viscosi.

Fernandes would double the lead in the 32nd minute, receiving a pass from Fritz and chipping the ball over Viscosi three yards away.

Senior Berian Gobeil would make it 3-0 in the 41st minute on another assist from Fritz, on another chip over Viscosi.

Freshman Martin Giordano would complete the rout in the 67th minute, volleying a rebound off of a corner 10 yards out for his first career goal for Stony Brook.

“Martin has been playing well,” Anatol said. “He’s getting accustomed to the speed of the college game now.”

Senior goalkeeper Stefan Manz, who was the team’s first choice goalkeeper last season, has started the last three games for the team. He has appeared to of taken the starting job away from junior Carlos Villa, who started the first four games of the season.

“We go day by day,” Anatol said of the first-choice spot. “Stefan has been doing a good job, and Carlos is a very good goalkeeper as well, we feel very good with both guys.”

Junior defender Marius Krathe, a transfer from South Florida, continued his strong start for Stony Brook.

“Marius is a big time player, he’s one of the best center-backs in the country,” Anatol said. “He really takes control of the back four, which is a special quality which sometimes goes unnoticed.”

Stony Brook will finish its non-conference portion of the schedule with a pair of away games next week.

The team will travel to Connecticut to take on Sacred Heart on Wednesday, and play Central Connecticut State on Saturday.

“We’re pleased with the results,” Anatol said. “But more importantly, we’re pleased with how we’ve been playing, we’re playing good soccer.”