Men’s Soccer Suffers 2-1 Setback at Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene men's soccer team absorbed a 2-1 non-league loss to Springfield College Wednesday evening at the Irv Schmid Sports Complex. The Lions sink to 0-2-0 overall with the result while the Pride improves to 2-1 on the season.

Eastern Nazarene claimed an early lead, scoring the first goal of the match in the 18th minute. Junior Josh Henry (Lowell, Mass.) scored his first collegiate marker to put the visitors ahead 1-0. Henry blasted a shot into the upper right corner of the cage after Scott Hansen (Middletown Spring, Vt.) poked a loose ball into open space.

Springfield responded with an equalizer minutes later, knotting the match at 1-1. Ryan Malone tallied his first goal of the year in the 20th minute as Drew Vanasse and Kevin Nowak picked up assists for the hosts.

The Pride fired 13 shots in the first half with six being on target. The Lions mustered just two shots in the opening 45 minutes of action, finding the back of the net on their lone attempt on frame.

Springfield netted the go-ahead goal in the 77th minute to grab a 2-1 edge. Danny Amato notched an unassisted tally for his second of the season.

With less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation, the match was called due to lightning.

Eastern Nazarene capped off the game with four shots after firing two in the second period. The home team registered nine shots in the second half to finish with 22 on the night. Springfield also held a 7-3 edge in corner kicks earned.

Goalkeeper Jake Johnson (Mouth Bethel, Pa.) stopped eight shots between the pipes for the Lions. Zach Richard made one save in goal for the Pride en route to earning the victory.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene opens up league play with a road match at Commonwealth Coast Conference foe Endicott September 14.