BLOOMSBURG – The Bloomsburg University men's soccer team makes its home debut on Friday, Sept. 7 in a non-conference matchup against Pitt-Johnstown.  Game time at Sports Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
 
The Huskies (1-1 overall) split their season-opening games at the NYACK Tournament last weekend.  Their return home will mark the first of a five-game homestand as they hope to build off a thrilling overtime victory against Roberts Wesleyan.
 
The Bloomsburg victory came in the 98th minute off an Anthony Manero (Richboro/Council Rock North) header.  Coming off a tough 1-0 loss two days prior to Mercy College, the Huskies proved they have the ability to take the season one game at a time in hopes of building some momentum throughout the season.
 
“We talked prior to Saturday's match about bringing an attacking mentality to the match and they did just that,” Bloomsburg head men's soccer coach Paul Payne said.  “It was about establishing a team personality, and that's what we did.  Now we have to build on that every match we play.”
 
Bloomsburg had three different goal scorers in its first win of the season.  Along with Manero, John Owens (Jamison/Central Bucks East) and Michael Del Sordi (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) found the back of the net.  For Owens, it was his first career goal in his fourth season in the maroon and gold. 
 
Freshman Miguel Diaz (Doylestown/Central Bucks East) has been active in the early going.  The midfielder set up a pair of goal-scorers against Roberts Wesleyan and leads the Huskies in assists.
 
Junior Bernie Roell (Douglassville/Daniel Boone) started both of the opening games in goal.  The returning all-conference goalkeeper has six saves through two games and has been the anchor on the back line of an experienced Huskies defense.
 
The Mountain Cats (0-2) are coming off a 2-1 loss to Shippensburg.  Zeke Buchta scored the only goal of the season for UPJ, who is still searching for its first win of the season.
 
UPJ will have to be prepared to see a plethora of fresh bodies Friday night.  20 Huskies have seen the playing field thus far as Bloomsburg carries a very talented roster from top to bottom.
 
“With working some new players in, we need to establish a consistent level of play both attacking and defending,” Payne said.  “The key for us is to dictate the pace and intensity of the game rather than our opponent.”
 
After its contest with UPJ, Bloomsburg will host Shepherd on Tuesday, Sept. 11 before opening its conference schedule next weekend against Gannon (Sept. 14) and Mercyhurst (Sept. 15).