Box Score Buffalo, NY – Friday night marked the first home game of the 2015 season for the D'Youville men's soccer team as the Spartans were defeated by the visiting Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins by the final score of 2-1.
Mount Saint Vincent put the early pressure on D'Youville and goalkeeper Peter Petruzzo (Clarence, NY/Clarence) in his first collegiate start. However, nearly eight minutes into the game, a Spartan corner kick led to the ball bouncing around the box and the team's first goal of the season. The loose ball found its way to the foot of Josh Hammer (Amherst, NY/Sweet Home) and the freshman buried the ball into the back of the net and gave D'Youville the early 1-0 lead.
Their lead would be short lived as the Dolphins scored a goal of their own just two minutes later at the 11:24 mark of the first and tie the game 1-1. Mount Saint Vincent would step up the pressure and outshoot the Spartans in the first half 11-4. Sophomore Nate Kummer (Deptford, NJ/Deptford) had two shots to keep the D'Youville offense involved, but the half ended tied at 1-1.
Much like the first half, the second half highlighted the Dolphins offense. Mount Saint Vincent had several shots just miss high and wide, including headers and a few shots off the crossbar. With 8 minutes left in the game, the Dolphins broke the 1-1 tie with a shot from the top of the box.
Despite being down late, the Spartans wouldn't go down without a fight in front of their home fans. Center back Daniel Tarbell (Clarence, NY/Clarence) rose above the Mount Saint Vincent defense with just under 3 minutes remaining and drilled a header at goal the broke just wide as it rocketed closer.
The final horn would sound with the Spartans falling to the Dolphins by the final of 2-1.
Goalies Peter Petruzzo and Brett Matthews (Angola, NY/Lake Shore) split time in net, with Petruzzo getting the start and Matthews playing in the second half. Each keeper had 3 saves and allowed 1 goal.
Freshmen Joe Chudy (Depew, NY/Lancaster) and Collin LaBombard (Ellenburg Center, NY/Northern Adirondack) saw their first action in a Spartans uniform, with Chudy his first collegiate start. Josh Hammer scored his first collegiate goal in the first half.
The team survived a large offensive barrage from Mount Saint Vincent. D'Youville was outshot 25-6.
The Spartans will have a quick turnaround as they play host for the second straight day on Saturday, September 12th against Mount Saint Joseph at 3pm.
