ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University men's soccer team saw its 2018 season come to an end in heart-breaking fashion on Saturday afternoon, falling by a score of 2-1 to William Paterson University in the first round of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournament.

Marlon Trejo scored Neumann's goal on the day, while goalie Shane Smith turned in a fantastic effort in goal, stopping nine shots in the loss.

The Knights looked to carry momentum from their Atlantic East Conference championship last weekend, but it would be William Paterson who carried the play in the opening 45 minutes. The Pioneers would outshoot Neumann by a count of 8-2 and take the lead just 11:03 into the first frame off a well-struck free kick from 25 yards out. The score would remain the same as the game headed to halftime. 

The second half began much the same as the first with the Pioneers registering seven of the first eight shots in the period, but the Knights began to find their rhythm in the final 30 minutes of play. Neumann's first great chance to tie the match came when Matt Sengphachanh found his way by a defender on the right flank and whipped a great ball into the box. The ball found its way to Mitchel Yeakley, who ripped a shot that was cleared off the goal-line by a Pioneer defender to keep the game 1-0.

Neumann continued to apply pressure in the William Paterson end late in the half and found an equalizer via the penalty spot. Freshman Gavin Ford made a nice move on a Pioneer defender in the box and was hauled down to give the Knights an opportunity to tie. Trejo then stepped up to the spot and banged home his eighth goal of the season to knot the contest at 1-1 with just 11:16 left to play.

The final ten minutes of play would be back and forth with each team generating chances. Neumann earned two late corners that they could not convert on, while William Paterson rattled a ball off the crossbar. Smith also needed to be at his best late in the game as he was forced into two point blank saves to keep the game tied at 1-1. With the game looking to be headed to overtime though, the Pioneers found a winner with just 31 seconds left to play. A long ball from the visitors found its way over top of the Neumann back-line and William Patterson got on the end of it and headed it over Smith and into the back of the net to seal the 2-1 win.

Neumann (11-5-2) sees its best season since 2011 come to an end. Despite the ECAC loss, the team will look to retool next season as it seeks to defend its Atlantic East Conference championship.