ST. DAVIDS, Pa.—
Zach Sievert scored in the 66th minute and the
Michael Arcuri made eight saves to secure a clean sheet, and Eastern University Men's Soccer (4-1-2) claimed a 1-0 win over the visiting Goucher College Gophers (3-3-2) in physical battle on Olson Field. Both teams finished the match with 15 shots at goal.
For ninety minutes, the game had tight margins as both sides contested every ball. Throughout the first half,
João Tarabal and
Osmond Chan were in on challenges in the midfield and
Jacob Shalev and
Iñigo Gullón Santana had work to do slowing Goucher's wing play. Arcuri made his best save of the half on a shot off the left wing by Mzwandile Honde in the 18th minute. While the Eagles had possession and won several balls with a high press, they did not create a wealth of quality chances.
Morris Marshall created an opportunity with a dribbling run off the left side, but his cross was tight to goal and cut away by the Goucher goalkeeper. Eastern finished the first have with a 7-6 edge in shots but only forced two saves as the game remained scoreless.
With the match still level, the Gophers had two great chances right at the hour mark. After an Eastern restart, Goucher broke back with numbers. Arcuri came off his line to meet a low shot at the top of the box. HIs rush, while well-timed, left the goal open behind him. The rebound skipped to Goucher winger Tiem Kiuy, and he hit low shot toward the empty net from 20 yards out. Gullón Santana met the effort with a sliding save at the goal line to keep the score level.
Five minutes later, the Eagles found separation. Sievert won possession out of a group and slipped a ball wide. Morris picked up the pass and earned the edge with a quick burst up the wing. His pass back into the mix fell to a Goucher defender, but rookie midfielder Matther DeDios applied instant pressure and the ball skipped back to Sievert. His shot back to the near post took a heavy deflection taht wrong-footed the goalkeeper and crawled across the goal line at the opposite post for his sixth goal of the season.
heading into the final 10 minutes, the Eagles kept pressure on and looked to work to win balls in the the attacking end. That strategy limited Goucher's chances, but the Gophers still had one late opportunity. ON a ball over the top, Jason Green-Adams slipped into the space between the center backs and got a toe on a bouncing ball before Arcuri could grab it. His flick got over Arcuri, hit the face of the left upright, and stayed out of the goal. The Eagles scrambled to clear.
Eastern's last chances came in the 89th minute, but
Ethan Pfau had his shot turned away.
The Eagles are off until next Tuesday when they will host Lancaster Bible College on Olson Field at 3:30.
