ST. DAVIDS, Pa.--Down 3-0, Eastern University Men's Soccer attempted a late-game comeback at homecoming Saturday, but fell to DeSales University 3-1.
The Eagles entered the game looking for payback in a rematch of last year's conference championship game in which the Eagles lost 3-0. The revenge factor and an energetic homecoming crowd provided motivation for the Eagles.
However, just seven minutes into the game, the DeSales Bulldogs took the lead and never looked back. DeSales' Derek Long scored his first of two goals on Eastern's Jon Crowder. Tyler Nolan scored the Bulldogs' other goal.
Coach Mark Wagner suggested that without a few mistakes these goals could have potentially been avoided, but also credited DeSales for finishing when they were given opportunities.
"They showed why they're the reigning champs," he said. "They've got a great goal scorer in Derek Long and when he gets an opportunity, he takes advantage of it. Having said that, I think we made some basic mistakes that are atypical of us that made it easy for him to score. With the exception of a couple of unfortunate mistakes, I felt we dominated in possession, shots, and corners."
The Eagles outshot the Bulldogs 18-11 and earned 11 corner kicks to the Bulldogs' one.
Despite the offensive advantage, the Eagles only goal came in the 59th minute when Alex Schweitzer scored on a penalty kick. Schweitzer fired the ball on the ground towards the left post. Goalie Colin Sulpizio guessed correctly and dove for the ball, but Schweitzer's shot rushed past him.
Schweitzer earned the kick after DeSales was called for a handball in the box. Both of his goals this season have come on penalty kicks.
DeSales' Sulpizio made nine saves Saturday, including five in the second half with the sun directly in his eyes.
"Their goalkeeper made some phenomenal saves," Wagner said. "I thought that was the difference."
Wagner is confident Eastern will rebound from the conference loss. "We've got Delaware Valley on Tuesday," he said. "I told the guys that in conference play you don't have a lot of time to celebrate your wins or mourn your losses. We'll bounce back."
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