Box Score
ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University men's soccer team picked up its first win with a 1-0 victory over Gettysburg College on Saturday afternoon
Shawn Kee notched the lone goal of the game in the 16th minute. Kee connected on a side volley from the corner of the box 18 yards from goal. The precision of the well struck ball screamed past the Gettysburg's defense and goalkeeper only to find the bottom of the right hand corner of the goal. The Knights scored off of a corner kick by Evan Morgan, who picked up the assist. That was the lone corner kick in the game for the Knights. The Bullets had 10 corner kicks.
The Knights looked to double their score, as a well weighted pass found Michael Frei breaking through on a breakaway. It was Frei's Jersey that stretched from a medium to extra large, as Gettysburg defender was desperate not to allow Frei an easy goal scoring opportunity with a cheeky tug of the jersey. The shot went high over the goal and Gettysburg was awarded a yellow card for the flagrant tug.
“Gettysburg played a tremendous game, they were well organized and every player was skillful, big and speedy,” Coach Sloan remarked. “I feel this was our biggest challenge to date and our boys came up trumps.”
The Knights put seven shots on goal, just two on net. Andrew Leissing notched two of the shots. Late in the second half, Leissing rang the post from a well struck header 16 yards from goal.
Gettysburg managed 10 shots, but just one on goal, which keeper Bob Mastrillo grabbed. Mastrillo was strong in the net en route to the shutout. The Knights defense limited opportunities on goal. With less than 10 minutes to go in the game, the Bullets crossed a dangerous ball into the six yard box, but Joe Larkins provided a necessary flick of the ball with the back of his foot to fend off oncoming Bullets attackers.
“It was a great team effort, the commitment to defending was first class,” said Coach Sloan. “Today marked a good starting point for us. There were so many bright spots, it would be difficult to name every player, but I easily could.”
Neumann (1-2) will travel to its first road game of the season on Wednesday. The Knights will travel down to Wesley College with tip-off at 7:00 PM.
