Box Score Buffalo, NY – The D'Youville men's soccer team won their first conference game of the season on Tuesday afternoon by the final score of 1-0 over the visiting Pitt.-Bradford Panthers.
D'Youville's offense was on their game early as they registered 3 shots and 2 corner kicks in the first 10 minutes of the game. The Spartans would continue to pressure after the team had 3 more shots in the next 8 minutes, including 2 from Nick Johnson (North Tonawanda, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield).
Bradford would only have 2 shots in the first half, neither of which would be on goal. On the other hand, the Spartans would record 10 shots, 4 of which were on goal. The two teams went into the half tied 0-0.
The second half would begin very similarly to the first, with D'Youville taking 5 shots before 10 minutes ran off the clock. The Panther's goalkeeper continued to face a barrage of shots from the Spartan offense until one finally found the back of the net.
In the 78th minute, freshman Ben Neuss (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) scored on a scramble in the box for his first goal of his collegiate career. Jason Wilson (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Forks) picked up his first assist of the season on the goal. D'Youville would keep the pressure on Bradford late and wouldn't allow them get a shot on frame. The Spartans would win their first home game and conference game of the season by the final score of 1-0.
Goalkeeper Brett Matthews (Angola, NY/Lake Shore) earned his second shutout of the season without having to make a save. Bradford had 6 shots in the game with none of them finding Matthews' hands. On defense, center back Daniel Tarbell (Clarence, NY/Clarence) played yet another outstanding game. Tarbell carried the ball out from defense on several occasions and shut down numerous Panther attacks.
D'Youville outshot Bradford 26-6, their highest shot total of the season. Nick Johnson led the team with 4 shots on goal, followed by 3 from Neuss. The Spartans forced the Panther goalie to make 18 saves in the game.
Conner Ward (San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic) was disruptive in the midfield and also a threat on offense. Aweso Noor (Buffalo, NY/Canisius), Josh Hammer (Amherst, NY/sweet Home) and Nate Kummer (Deptford, NJ/Deptford) all were solid on the back line for D'Youville.
In the midfield, Justin Pepe (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster), Jeffrey Espinoza (Baldwin, NY/Baldwin), Brandon Pauly (Owego, NY/Owego) and Patrick Mann (Brighton, NY/Brighton) all moved the ball well as they continue to build team chemistry as the season goes on.
The Spartans will host their next game on Saturday, October 17th against the La Roche Redhawks.
