The Goshen College men’s soccer team took on St. Xavier University for their first home game of the season. Trying to avenge a loss to the Cougars from a year ago, the Maple Leafs fell by a score of 2-0 for the second consecutive year. Goshen’s first scoring opportunity came from a Greg Thiessen free kick around the 5th minute. Unfortunately the Leafs were unable to control the ball as it swung into the box and the play resulted in a goal kick. Goshen had the Cougar defense on its heels as they were able to control the ball for the majority of the first half. Two near misses by Yon Donhl and Joel Maust towards the end of the first half saw Goshen go into half-time with some momentum but they were still deadlocked with St. Xavier 0-0.
Goshen came on strong at the start of the second half as they continued to put pressure on the Cougar defense. Senior Juan Diaz De Leon was able to split the Cougar defense for an open shot at the goal but the St. Xavier goalie was able to control the strike. Moments later Diaz De Leon had another chance from a free kick but again the Cougar goalie kept the ball out of the net. The stalemate ended in the 80th minute when St. Xavier’s Al Palar shot the ball over Leaf’s keeper Ryan Troyer’s outstretched arms. Just minutes later the Cougar’s struck again putting them up 2-0 and leaving little time for the Maple Leafs to attempt a comeback. The loss puts Goshen’s record on the season to 0-4. Goshen heads to Lansdale PA this weekend for the Menno Soccer Classic where they will play against other Mennonite schools Bluffton University and Eastern Mennonite University.
