Last Saturday, just days after the Saints had picked up a win against Union, their starting players lined up next to the RIT Tigers’ during the national anthem, and when the song ended the Tigers broke over to their huddle and began to let out a series of boisterous screeches and screams, which sounded a lot like out-of-tune, high pitched battle cries.

And so the game began.

From the start the Saints held their composure. They controlled the possession fairly well and were able to get a few shots off from players: Aiden Callahan 19’ and Michael McDougald 23’. In minute 25, Callahan sent a startling strike towards the Tigers’ 6 yard line, and Robert Reynolds 22’ was able to knock the ball into the net with an impressive header, giving the Saints the lead.

As of now, the Saints have a record of 4-6-1, and a conference record of 1-3-1. This weekend they are to play Vassar and Bard; games they can hopefully win in preparation for the Liberty League Tournament.

Ten minutes after Reynolds’ goal and the Saints’ humble and modest goal celebration, the Tigers found their way onto the scoreboard. The goal was scored by Jared Short 21’, who, after being sent a sneaky pass past the Saints’ defense and into the box, had a solid shot past our keeper, Ben Woelfinger 23’.

After the half, another goal was scored by the Tigers’ Simon Garno 19’, in minute 58, after a random header by Nick Simone 21’ flew over the Saints defenses’ heads, which left Garno one on one with Woelfinger 23’. The goal was then followed with an enthusiastic celebration by the Tigers, whose entire bench rushed over to the corner flag to meet Garno, and once again let out their overwhelming screeches and screams.

And then things grew worse for the Saints. In minute 63, the Tigers delivered the ball into the Saints’ box from a free kick, and after a series of unsuccessful shots, Short was able to receive the ball in front of the net and place it in.

Another celebration occurred, but, while the Tigers let out their rather rambunctious screeches and screams once more, the Saints passed the ball back up to half field to continue competing for the lead. And the Saints came close. 

With less than four minutes left, Reynolds was able to bring the Saints back into the game by scoring with a diving header, that was crossed in by Marvin Sibanda 23’. After this goal, the Saints were able to finish the game with a new level of tenacity, although, unfortunately, the game concluded with the Tigers continuing to hold their lead over our Saints. However, in retrospect this was certainly a winnable game for the Saints, and hopefully they can bounce back from this one.