WALTHAM, Mass. – Sophomore Matt Tidona (Bellmore, N.Y./Friends Academy) scored in the 57^th minute, but a late penalty kick goal by Molloy was the difference as the Lions took the season opener over the Bentley men's soccer team 2-1 on Friday.

The Falcons played the match with 10-men from the 37^th minute on, but battled back from Molloy's opening goal in the 44^th minute. After the PK goal by Dan Massey in the 75^th minute, Molloy was able to hang on for the win.

Molloy took the 1-0 lead just before halftime on a goal by Anthony Cestaro, who struck home a cross from the wing by midfielder Angelo Bordenca.

After halftime, Tidona and Bentley newcomer Julian Stewart (Acton, Mass./Acton-Boxboro), a transfer from UMass-Lowell, combined on the tying goal in the 57^th minute. Stewart set the goal up by dribbling around Molloy keeper Raul Bonilla, and fed a pass to Tidona in front for the goal to tie the score 1-1.

The tie game lasted about 18 minutes until Molloy's Massey converted from the penalty spot to give them the go-ahead goal, and eventual winner.

The Falcons though held a 10-4 advantage in shots on goal, and forced nine saves out of Bonilla on the afternoon. Sophomore Jake Goldstein (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire) had four of the shots on target, and junior Evan Ryan (Cornwall, Vt./Middlebury Union) had three.

Junior Harrison Rapant (Pittsfield, Mass./Pittsfield) made the start in goal for the Falcons.

Bentley will attempt to gain a split of opening weekend on Sunday when they take on Caldwell on Sunday at noon.