JOLIET, Ill. -- Thanks to an impressive 12-save performance, which included 10 saves and a penalty shot denial at the 87:27 mark in the second half, from goalkeeper
Logan LaFrance, the University of St. Francis men's soccer team captured its first win of the 2026 season on Saturday night when the Fighting Saints earned a 1-0 victory over Aquinas College (Mich.) at Joliet Memorial Stadium.
First Half
Aquinas (1-2-0) went on the offensive in the first half, securing possession for the majority of the opening 45 minutes. Each team was able to find open looks in the period, but after LaFrance denied an Aquinas attempt on goal in the 21st minute, USF countered by going on the attack, accounting for a good - but ultimately unsuccessful - look of its own from
Mason Mroz at the 30:45 mark. Aquinas would edge out the Saints in the opening frame offensively by accounting for a total of six shots in the half, compared to USF's three, but both keepers denied all nine attempts in helping to produce a 0-0 score at the halftime break.
Second Half
As the Aquinas offense ramped up in the second half, so did the physicality between both sides with five yellow cards being issued in the period. St. Francis worked hard to generate chances, taking three tries between the 57th and 69th minutes, but after its first attempt missed wide right of the net at the 57:14 mark, Aquinas retaliated by applying heavy offensive pressure - clocking eight shots over the next 16 minutes. Despite the constant pressure from the AC frontline, St. Francis stayed steady in its approach and delivered the game-winning goal on its fourth attempt in the half off the foot of
Benisio Gamino with an assist from
Jack Browne in the 75th minute.  Needing to produce the equalizer quickly, Aquinas produced seven straight shots between the 76th and 87th minutes, but it was its final try of the match that set up the game-saving dramatics with an Aquinas penalty kick opportunity. After an ill-timed USF foul occurred in the box with just 2:33 left to play, AC's Evan Goodfellow was called upon to take the PK for the guests. The sophomore chose to go left ultimately sailing the ball straight into the chest of the diving LaFrance, who with the dramatic save, preserved the 1-0 lead and a memorable ending to a highly-competitive match.
Browne led the way offensively for the Saints with two shots on goal, while Gamino's only try produced his first goal of the season. Aquinas outshot the Saints by a 26-8 count, including a 12-5 tally on goal.
Up Next
The USF men's soccer team will have nine days of rest before taking the field again on Tuesday, Sept. 15 to play Hannibal-LaGrange University (Mo.) at 7 pm at Joliet Memorial Stadium.
You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.
