Kyle Robbins	Tim McGovern	Michael Donnelly

Box score

The University of Scranton men's soccer defenders decided to get offensive in Friday night's season opener against Centenary, scoring all three goals as the Royals overcame a first-half deficit to post a 3-1 victory at Fitzpatrick Field.

Seniors Tim McGovern (Merrick, N.Y./Chaminade) and Kyle Robbins (South Windsor, Conn./South Windsor), and junior Michael Donnelly (Mahopac, N.Y./John F. Kennedy) each scored second-half goals in the victory. Each also picked up his first career goal.

Scranton trailed at halftime, 1-0, after Centenary scored a stunning goal from just inside midfield in the 31st minute. The shot curled into the upper right corner, just over the outstretched arms of Royals' sophomore goalkeeper Blake Hammert (Archbald, Pa./Scranton Prep).

Despite controlling the run of play in the opening half, the Royals still made a few adjustments during halftime and it paid off immediately. They knotted the score in the 51st minute when Donnelly's blast from 20 yards out struck the crossbar and went in off a corner kick by junior midfielder Kieran Bracken (Stamford, Conn./South Kent).

Robbins put the Royals ahead with a perfect penalty kick in the 73rd minute, depositing the shot into the upper right. His successful tally was set up when fellow outside back James Harris (Massapequa, N.Y./Chaminade) was taken down just inside the box.

McGovern sealed the victory seven minutes later when he headed home a perfect free kick to the far post from freshman midfielder Jarred Corbett (Wenonah, N.J./St. Augustine Prep).

Scranton finished the night with a 22-7 edge in shots and a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks. Sophomore midfielder Riley Smith (New Hope, Pa./New Hope Solebury) led the Royals with five shots while Donnelly had four.

Hammert finished the night with five saves, including a nice diving save early in the first half, to pick up the victory in his first career start.

The Royals are right back in action on Saturday, hosting Allegheny at 3 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Field.

--ROYALS--