ASTON, Pa. – Two goals in the first ten minutes proved to be the difference in Neumann's opening game loss to Washington College, 2-0, on Thursday afternoon.
 
The Shoremen jumped on the Knights early, scoring the game's first goal just 3:12 into the match. Goalkeeper Shane Smith made a fantastic diving save to thwart the Shoremen's first effort on target, but the rebound found the foot of Washington College and the back of the net to make it 1-0.
 
Things would get worse for Neumann just four minutes later, as a scramble around the Knight's net ended with a Washington College player being dragged down in the box for a penalty kick. The Shoremen and ripped home the game's second goal to make it 2-0. Washington College continued to apply pressure the remainder of the half, outshooting Neumann 13-3.
 
The second half saw the Knights come out with a lot more energy. Neumann registered four shots in the first eight minutes of the half and the team controlled the game for most of the stanza. Despite the better play in the second half, Neumann was unable to find the back of the net. The Knights best effort came late in the half on a shot from 30 yards out by Billy Swontek that was tipped wide by the Shoremen keeper. Swontek and freshman forward Steven Matalavage led the Knights with three shots each.
 
Head Coach Tim Hollenback was disappointed with the way the team started the game, but pleased with the way the team responded in the second half. "Obviously we struggled to find our game in the first half, but I was happy with our performance in the second half. We made a few mental errors early in the match that we will need to correct but we'll bounce back and be ready for Widener on Saturday. We're still a very young team, and we'll use this as a learning experience as we move on in the season."
 
Neumann (0-1) will need to regroup quickly, as it heads to Widener University for a match versus the Pride on Saturday night. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM.