Box Score Keuka, NY – Day two of the 2015 D'Youville men's soccer season unfortunately went as same as day one with the Spartans taking their second loss of the season, losing to the Keuka Wolfpack by the final score of 2-0.
The Spartans tested the Keuka goalkeeper early, with Jeffery Espinoza (Baldwin, NY/Baldwin) putting a shot on goal just over 4 minutes into the game, but missing high. Keuka would step up their pressure on the D'Youville defense and goalie Brett Matthews (Angola, NY/Lake Shore) over the next 20 minutes, putting several shots on frame.
With roughly 15 minutes remaining in the first half, back-to-back corners from Pat Mann (Brighton, NY/Brighton) and Justin Pepe (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) put pressure on the Wolfpack defense, but to no avail. The final 10 minutes of the half would pass with no shots recorded by either team, as the halftime whistle sounded with the two teams tied a 0-0.
Much like they started the first half, D'Youville came out in the second half applying pressure to the Keuka backline. Junior Joe Hall (Rancho Cucamonga, NY/Loyola) put a header on frame, but it was saved by the Wolfpack keeper. Under two minutes later, senior Aaron Zelko (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) took a shot but missed high.
In the 61st minute, Keuka would break the scoreless tie by netting a goal off of a long pass. Just under 3 minutes later, the Wolfpack would score once again to increase their lead off a shot from just outside the box. D'Youville couldn't break the 0 on the board for the second straight game as the final whistle blew with the Spartans losing to the Wolfpack by the final of 2-0.
"Despite the final result, we can walk off the pitch with our heads held high today," said head coach Brendan Murphy.
Coach Murphy acknowledged the three minute time frame where the Wolfpack capitalized on several chances to take the lead.
"We battled hard for 87 minutes, had a three minute lapse in the middle of the second half, and Keuka made us pay for our mistakes."
Three D'Youville players tied for the team lead with one shot each. Goalie Brett Matthews made 3 saves in the game after earning his second straight start. Senior Nick Johnson (North Tonawanda, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) made his first start of the season.
Moving forward, Murphy looks to build off of his team's opening weekend and show the home fans what is in store for the upcoming season.
"I'm proud of the work rate we displayed and I look forward to getting back on the practice field for our home opener Friday night."
D'Youville will usher in the 2015 home portion of their schedule Friday evening, September 11th against Mount Saint Vincent's at 7pm.
