Men's Soccer Can't Complete Comeback in NYC

Friday, September 1

Brooklyn, NY

7:00 PM

George Washington University

1-2-0

St. Francis Brooklyn

2-1-0

George Washington

St. Francis Brooklyn

Dylan Lightbourn scored GW's goal on Friday.

9/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 1, 2017

Final Stats

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, N.Y. - Dylan Lightbourn scored his first goal of the season, but George Washington men's soccer came up short in a 3-1 loss to St. Francis Brooklyn on Friday night at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

The Colonials (1-2) pulled within a goal in the 82nd minute on Lightbourn's tally and pushed for more but couldn't produce the equalizer. St. Francis Brooklyn (2-1) put it away with a 90th-minute goal.

Sami Gliguem recorded the first two goals for the Terriers, scoring them four minutes apart late in the opening half. The reserve midfielder also assisted Ali Tounkara's game-clinching score.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

40th Minute -- The Terriers broke through thanks to a great strike from Gliguem. The junior midfielder ran on to a loose ball near the top of the 18-yard box and deposited a low drive inside the right post. (St. Francis Brooklyn 1, GW 0)

44th Minute -- Gliguem padded the lead, this time heading in a corner kick from Kieran Young. He maneuvered into position to receive a short kick and deftly redirected it inside the near post at a tough angle. (St. Francis Brooklyn 2, GW 0)

82nd Minute -- Lightbourn halved the deficit with 8 minutes, 34 seconds left in regulation. Christian Lawal pushed the ball deep into the 18-yard box, setting up Lightbourn's half volley from about 8 yards out. (St. Francis Brooklyn 2, GW 1)

90th Minute -- George Washington pushed everyone, including goalkeeper Thor Arne HÃ¶fs, up toward the opposite net on a free kick in the final minute, but the Terriers managed to clear it away. With a defender bearing down, Gliguem was able to play a long ball to Tounkara, who put it into the empty net. (St. Francis Brooklyn 3, GW 1)

NOTEWORTHY:

GW kept the pressure on in the closing minutes. The Colonials' best chance at tying it came in the 86th minute when Lightbourn flicked a try on goal and St. Francis Brooklyn goalkeeper Roberto Bazzichetto tipped it off the crossbar and out of play.

HÃ¶fs gave GW a chance to come back with his five saves. His best stop came in the 63rd minute when he dove to his right to deny a free kick from St. Francis Brooklyn's Collins Laokandi.

It was the fifth career goal for Lightbourn, who was GW's leading returning scorer from 2016. He also scored last season against St. Francis Brooklyn.

St. Francis Brooklyn outshot GW, 11-2, for the game. The Colonials, however, earned four corner kicks to two for the Terriers.

WATCH THIS: Head Coach Craig Jones discusses Friday's loss.

Coach Craig Jones discusses Friday's loss at St. Francis Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/lFxH7jJ1Oy
-- GW Men's Soccer (@GWMensSoccer) September 2, 2017

UP NEXT: The Colonials make their season debut at GW Soccer Field on Tuesday. They're set to meet Colonial Athletic Association favorite William & Mary at 2 p.m.