The Aquinas men's soccer team opened the 2021 season in strong fashion, as the Saints posted a 6-0 victory on Friday morning (Feb. 19) over Cleary. Playing a non-conference contest at the Legacy Center in Brighton, AQ went ahead 2-0 at halftime and scored four times in the second half to pull away from the Cougars.

It was the season opener for the two WHAC counterparts, as Aquinas moves to 1-0 and Cleary drops to 0-1. Friday's opener was considered a non-conference game, but the teams will meet again on Mar. 6 in Howell in a WHAC contest.

It took AQ just under four minutes into the new season to find the back of the net. Steffano Riley provided the early 1-0 lead at the 3:59 mark on a feed from Fin Pittock. Less than seven minutes later, Pittock found Theo Maye for a goal and a 2-0 Saints advantage. AQ took that two-goal cushion to halftime, outshooting the Cougars by a 10-4 tally in the opening 45 minutes.

The Saints put the game away in a 21-minute span of the second half, netting four goals by four different players. Maye recorded his second goal of the year on a free kick at the 61:55 mark for the 3-0 edge. A few minutes later, Josh Freeman-Wright made it 4-0 off an assist from Baptiste Bissesseur at 64:07 mark.

Jackson Moore collected assists on each of the next two goals for AQ, finding Evan Van Nortwick for a goal at 72:50 and then Bailley Whalley with 82:41 on the clock.

The Saints outshot Cleary 9-0 in the second half for a final 19-4 edge in shots taken. AQ led in shots on goal (9-1) and in corner kicks (7-1). Aquinas committed 18 fouls to 13 for Cleary.

Antonio Strassioto needed to make just one save to earn the shutout victory.  

Aquinas will be back at the Legacy Center next Friday (Feb. 26) at 11:30 a.m. to begin WHAC play against Madonna.