Box Score MANCHESTER, N.H. – A goal by Brian Francolini (Ellington, Conn.) in the 62nd minute proved to be the difference as No. 18 Southern New Hampshire University edged Merrimack College 1-0 in Northeast-10 men's soccer Wednesday evening at Larkin Field. The Penmen won their ninth straight to improve to 9-1 overall and remained the NE-10's lone unbeaten team at 7-0, while the Warriors, who could have grabbed the league's top spot with a win, are now 7-3 and 5-2.
After a scoreless first half, Francolini got SNHU on the board at the 61:29 mark. Pierre Omanga (Paris, France), played a ball to the right over the Francolini, who took a touch and fired a 15-yarder past Merrimack keeper Jose Silva, who had come out to play the pass. It was Francolini's second goal of the season.
SNHU keeper Dom DiMaggio (Rome, N.Y.) made three saves to notch his second shutout of the season, while Silva made seven saves as the Penmen outshot the Warriors 16-9. Merrimack also recorded one team save. The hosts also took five of the game's seven corner kicks.
Southern New Hampshire returns to action Saturday night when it hosts Southern Connecticut State University in a 7:00 Northeast-10 contest at Larkin Field.
For the latest on Southern New Hampshire University athletics, follow the Penmen via social media on Twitter (@snhupenmen), Facebook (www.facebook.com/snhupenmen), Youtube (www.youtube.com/snhupenmen) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/snhupenmen).
