Even though the St. Thomas Aquinas College men's soccer team posted a big margin in shots on goal, it was not enough as a late goal lifted Molloy College to a 2-1 win in an East Coast Conference tilt in Rockville Centre. The Spartans now fall to 2-2-1 overall, 1-1-1 in ECC play, while Molloy improves to 4-3, 2-0. STAC was originally scheduled to host but the contest was moved to Long Island due to unplayable field conditions.

Both teams traded opportunities in an evenly-played first half, but the Lions hit the board first midway through when Tom Garcia's pass found the foot of Tyler De La Torre, who broke the seal at the 25:07 mark. Molloy held on to that advantage at halftime in spite of being outshot by the Spartans by a 15-10 margin.

STAC pressured from the opening whistle of the second half and finally broke through when Sean Reilly's shot from just outside the box soared past Lions goalkeeper Michael Hunter to even the match at 1-1 at 66:03.

Though the Spartans looked to have the momentum, it was Molloy that wasted little time in answering as Dan Brown sent a long cross to De La Torre, who beat STAC keeper Andrew Tartara at 72:45 for his second of the night to put the hosts back on top. Although STAC enjoyed an 11-3 edge in shots in the second half, Molloy's defense was equal to the task as the Spartans didn't seriously threaten thereafter.

In all, the Spartans outshot the Lions by a 26-13 margin and took nine corners to Molloy's six, with each keeper credited with six saves.

The Spartans return to action this Monday, September 24, hosting Concordia College for a non-conference tilt that will be played at Rockland Community College with kickoff set for 3:00 pm.