Men’s Soccer Edged in Double-OT at Nichols in League-Opener, 3-2

DUDLEY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College men's soccer team endured its first loss of the season Saturday afternoon, dropping a 3-2 double-overtime decision at Nichols.

The Lions dip to 3-1-0 on the season and 0-1-0 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference with the setback. The Bison improve to 3-3-0 overall and 1-0-0 in league action.

The home side opened the scoring in the 16th minute to seize a 1-0 lead. David Melanson tallied his third goal of the fall as his long range attempt was bobbled into the net by the visitors' goalkeeper.

Eastern Nazarene responded in the 37th minute to level the match at 1-1. Andrew Nelson (Burtonsville, Md.) buried his team-leading eighth marker of the season as he lofted a free kick from nearly 30 yards out over the Nichols goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

The two teams entered the halftime intermission deadlocked at 1-1 after 45 minutes of play. The Bison held an 8-3 advantage in first half shots while also earning the lone corner kick of the period.

Nichols regained a one-goal lead in the 52nd minute, benefitting from an Eastern Nazarene own goal to go ahead 2-1.

The Lions clawed back in the 82nd minute to tie the game once again. Joao Costa (Framingham, Mass.) netted his second goal of the season off of a setup by Connor Hudson-Bryant (Weymouth, Mass.).

At the end of regulation, the Bison owned a 19-10 margin in shots and a 3-0 gap in corner kicks awarded.

Eastern Nazarene fired a pair of shots in the first overtime session while Nichols recorded one.

The hosts scored the golden goal in the 108th minute to clinch their first conference victory of the year. Zach Pina slotted a shot into the lower left corner of the cage for his second tally of the fall.

The Bison concluded the contest with a 22-14 edge in shots and a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Jameson MacFarland (Jacksonville, Fla.) turned aside seven shots in net for the Lions. Alex Geas maded six saves between the posts for Nichols.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene will look to rebound with a non-conference tilt at Clark September 16.