Becerra Makes Eight Saves in Firebirds Heated Match Up Against Spartans

SPARKHILL, N.Y.- The University of the District of Columbia's men's soccer team fell to conference foe St Thomas Aquinas College 1-2, Wednesday evening at the Spartan Field. The Firebirds fell to 0-1-2 in conference play, while the Spartans improved to 2-0.

Junior Goalkeeper Sergio Becerra made a game-high eight saves and sophomore midfielder Axel Gamez recorded the Firebirds lone goal of the match. Sophomore midfielder Zachary Parker was also an impact player for the Firebirds playing both sides of the ball well.  

It was a highly contested match up between the two teams from start to finish. The first goal of the match came in the 22nd minute of the first half, from the Spartans. The Firebirds had a golden opportunity to tie the game up at the 41 minute mark, after STAC's keeper was charged with a yellow card after a collision with Ignacio Pericet resulted in a penalty kick. Unforuantely for UDC the Spartans keeper guessed right and was able to stop Pericet's shot.

Gamez scored the equalizer off of a penalty kick in the 74th minute to tie the game 1-1, giving the Firebirds a fighting chance. But the tie was short lived, as just a minute later a fast break from STAC resulted in a two on one with Becerra, and a goal that turned out to be the game winner.

The visting Firebirds fought hard to try and score an equalizer, with the two closest attempts coming from Pericet, that was saved by the keeper, and a header from Jonathan Diaz, that hit the post.

The Spartans had 10 shots on goal compared to the Firebirds nine. UDC had the edge in corner kicks 9-7 and both keepers made a total of eight saves. There was a total of 39 fouls between the two teams with two players from each squad picking up yellow cards. 

Up Next, UDC (2-4-3, 0-1-2 ECC) will host Daemen University in another conference match up on Saturday. The game is slated to begin at 3:00 pm.