Keuka Park, NY- First year men's soccer coach Brendan Murphy knew it would take the team time to get to where they want to be as a program, but there were some positives to take away from his team's 2-0 loss to Wells College in their season opener. Fresh off of guiding his FC Buffalo team to the postseason of the National Premier Soccer League, Murphy joins D'Youville following a heralded career as a player and coach. "I am looking forward to this experience," said Murphy. "We'll have some initial growing pains and we'll learn from them with the goal of getting to where I think we can be as the season progresses."

Though D'Youville struggled to find their rhythm on the offensive end, the defense led by Senior and last season's team MVP Tyler Beach (Niagara, NY / Niagara Wheatfield) and Sophomore Nick Johnson (North Tonawanda, NY / Niagara-Wheatfield) picked up right where they left off last year with another solid performance. Goaltender Matt Smith (Bergen, NY / Byron-Bergen) contributed 10 saves while shutting out Wells for the first 59 minutes of play. He starts his Senior season with a respectable .833 save percentage.

The Spartans will play their second match of the Lakeside Invitational tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. against event host Keuka College. The team will compete in the Buffalo Tournament next weekend at their home field, the Riverside Athletic Complex. They host Juniata at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 7th and Thiel the following morning at 11 a.m. Come cheer the Spartans to victory!