OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Despite finishing with a 5-3 edge in shots on goal, Eastern University Men's Soccer dropped a 1-0 decision in MAC Commonwealth play at Stevenson University. The host Mustangs scored the only goal of the match on a corner kick in the 33rd minute on the slick grass surface.
The Mustangs earned the critical corner, their fourth of the day after a strong move up the right side turned into a shot from a close angle.
Michael Arcuri turned away the near-post blast. A high serve on the corner hit the ground after a Stevenson player missed on a header. Stevenson first-year Levi Tanguay hit a low shot through traffic that slipped inside the right upright.
The Eagles (6-3-3, 1-2) started the game with four shots on frame in the first nine minutes, and ratcheted up pressure as the second half progressed. The Mustangs defended multiple restarts and kept the Eastern attack from getting a clean look at goal.
In the 84th minute, it looked like the Eagles had created a difference-making chance. A goal kick and a clever heel pass from João Tarabel put
Cullen Visscher into space on the left side. The senior forward earned some space and clipped a cross toward the box that went off the arm of a Stevenson defender.
The center official did not make a call originally but went to video review. After an extended period in front of the monitor, the official did not find conclusive evidence for a penalty kick.
Moments later,
Zach Sievert earned a fee kick at the top of the box, but the Eagles did not find magic on the restart and the game remained tied. Eastern had a corner and several restarts in the final four minutes.
Arcuri finished with two saves.
The loss drops the Eagles behind Stevenson in the league table and gives the Mustangs an important tiebreaker. The Eagles will look to bounce back at Alvernia on Saturday at 1:00 pm.
