Maple Leaf men’s soccer looked to continue their solid start in conference play by defeating Taylor University last Saturday. Taylor, however, made sure right from the start that Goshen would not get the win.
In the span of just over two minutes, Taylor’s Tim Daniels, a senior, scored a goal and set up another to propel the Trojans to an early 2-0 lead. It was all Taylor would need to remain unbeaten in conference play this season.In the 21st minute, Daniels opened the scoring off a pass from teammate Sam Hardy, a first-year. Just over two minutes later, Taylor scored again when Daniels assisted Lewis Nisbet, a first-year.
Taylor stifled Goshen’s attack in the first half, limiting the Maple Leafs to just one shot to Taylor’s nine. The final half was more of the same as Taylor again minimized Goshen’s offensive chances as the Maple Leafs took only two shots in the second half while the Trojans registered 10.
Goshen’s Dean Nafziger, a junior, made seven saves for the Maple Leafs while Taylor’s Michael Williams, a junior, only had to deal with one shot on target the entire game. Taylor held the final edge in corner kicks 3-2, and the Maple Leafs didn’t do themselves any favors by committing 12 fouls with the Trojans only committing seven. Goshen’s three shots came from Caleb Longenecker, Joel Pepala, and Joel Yoder, all seniors.
Only 15 different players got playing time due to an assortment of injuries as Goshen lost its first road game in five attempts.
With the loss, Goshen’s season record falls to 6-5-1 and 1-1-1 in conference play. The Maple Leafs host Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday at 7 p.m.
