By Maegan White
Elm Staff Writer
The Shoremen soccer team ended the regular season with two wins against Centennial Conference rival Dickinson College and non-conference competitor Stevenson University.
On Wednesday, Oct. 25 the Shoremen traveled to Stevenson University and beat the Mustangs 2-1.
In minute 22 of the game, a handball was called against Stevenson right outside of the penalty box giving the Shoremen a direct kick. Junior defender Max Greenfeld took the shot and placed the ball in the lower right corner of the goal. This was Greenfeld’s first career goal, and it gave the Shoremen 1-0 lead.
The Mustangs responded in the minute 38 with a header past the junior goalkeeper Anthony Pinto tying, the score at 1-1.
The Shoremen scored their second and final goal of the game in minute 65. Senior defender Alex Coster launched the ball across the field and senior forward Eric Gwadz beat the Mustang’s defense to score in the lower left corner of the goal.
The Mustangs made numerous attempts on goal in the final minutes of the game, all of which were saved by Pinto. The Shoremen left Stevenson victorious with a score of 2-1.
On Saturday, Oct 29, the Shoremen secured their final regular win over Dickinson College in a 1-0 victory.
In the fourth minute of the game, senior midfielder Harrison Malone found senior midfielder Ben Strine off a corner kick who scored on the Devils’ goalkeeper. This was the only goal of the game and gave the Shoremen the advantage.
Pinto had two crucial saves that secured the victory for the Shoremen. In minute 17, the Red Devils headed the ball but Pinto was able to deflect the shot over the goal.
In minute 63, the Red Devils took a shot on goal which was deflected by Pinto and cleared by the defense.
The Shoremen also celebrated senior day recognizing seniors goalkeeper Tim Loeffler; defenders Alex Coster; midfielders Jackson Sopa, Ben Horgan, Harrison Malone, Ben Strine, Cole Gifford, and Eric Gwadz; and forward Alyan Youssaf.
This victory placed the Shoremen as the second seeded team in the Conference moving into playoffs. Franklin and Marshall College who the Shoremen lost 1-0 to earlier this season, is seeded first in the Conference.
Since they secured a top two finish, the Shoremen will automatically advance to the semifinal game and will play the winner of the Dickinson College and John Hopkins University match up on Tuesday, Nov. 1. The semifinal game will be hosted in the Roy Kirby Jr. Stadium Friday, Nov. 4. The Shoremen ended their regular season with an overall record of 7-4-6 and a conference record of 5-1-3.
According to Horgan, the team has played very well this season and he is looking forward to their semifinal game this week. “I am very happy with how the team played yesterday and we ended the season with four wins out of the five games which we are very happy about,” Horgan said.
Photo by Grace Hazlehurst
Photo Caption: Senior forward Alyan Youssaf driving the ball towards Dickinson’s goal.