AMHERST, N.Y. – In the season opening match of 2024, the Malone University men's soccer team defeated Daemen University by a score of 2-0. The win breaks a three-match losing spell against the Wildcats and the first victory in upstate New York dating back to 2019.
 
The Pioneers are on the board at 1-0 this season while Daemen falls to 0-1 in their season opener as well.
 
Malone would take the lead early thanks to a miscue by the Wildcat defense. The pressure of a good crossing pass forced Daemen into a mistake that was credited as an own goal in the 15th minute of play.
 
Once action resumed, each side took a shot on goal, but Gavyn Ernst was able to hold strong in net for the save. Dylan DiPiero would take a shot for the visiting Pioneers that was saved as well. Christian Piccolotto added his name to the stat sheet with a shot on goal in the 28th minute, but the scoreboard remained unchanged.
 
A stretch by the defense was pivotal for Malone to take a 1-0 lead into the halftime break. Ernst notched two more saves in the final 14 minutes of the period where the Wildcats were able to rattle off three shot attempts.
 
The second half saw the Pioneers go on the offensive to double their lead. Anthony Birus, Gavin Csiszar and Fraeday Moo took aim, but it was DiPiero who found the back of the net in the 60th minute. A beautiful feed by Birus resulted in the opportunity for a header by the junior to go up 2-0.
 
Piccolotto looked to continue the onslaught in the closing minutes of the match, but hit the left post to keep the score at 2-0 at full time. A 10-3 shot differential for the team in the second half led to a 13-8 mark for the match.
 
Ernst secured the win in net and played all 90 minutes. Csiszar, Luke Miller, Braden Lamb and Elijah Caparello-Wanless were also on the pitch for the duration of the match.
 
Malone remains in the Empire State for a contest at Roberts Wesleyan University on Saturday, September 7 at 1:00 p.m.