Box Score WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – Wilkes scored the lone goal of the game in the 56th minute and The University of Scranton men's soccer team (3-2-2) dropped a 1-0 decision to the Colonels (7-2) in non-conference action on Tuesday night at Bruggeworth Field in Wilkes-Barre.
The loss snaps the Royals' unbeaten streak at five matches and this was the first goal they have conceded since the season opener vs. Muhlenberg on Sept. 4, a scoreless streak totaling 594:30.
The Colonels' Matthew Horwedel had a penalty kick denied by Scranton goalie Jake Hodlofski (West Chester, Pa./Malvern Prep) who made a diving save, but Horwedel was able to gather the rebound and fire into the open net to give the hosts a 1-0 edge.
Tuesday's game marked the first of five straight matches away from home for the Royals.
In the opening 45 minutes, Wilkes had a series of chances but the Royals' defense held strong to keep the game scoreless at the time. Perhaps the best chance of the half for the Royals came in the 33rd minute as sophomore Anthony Rizzi's (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) attempt was turned away by Wilkes goalie Zach Tone.
Just over two minutes into the second half, Scranton nearly took the lead when a shot from freshman Adam Havens (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) hit the post and shortly thereafter, Horwedel gave the Colonels the lead. In the final 30 plus minutes, the Royals mounted a series of chances, but Tone made four of his five saves in the second half to keep the visitors scoreless including a save on freshman Sean Quin (Stony Point, N.Y./Albertus Magnus) in the 86th minute.
Wilkes held a 12-9 shot advantage in the contest and the Royals were led by two shots apiece from Rizzi and junior Christian Arcos (Bayonne, N.J./Saint Peter's Prep).
Hodlofski tallied two saves in 90 minutes of action for Scranton, while Tone made the afore-mentioned five saves for the Colonels.
The game was a physical affair that featured a combined 25 fouls and five yellow cards.
Head coach Matt Pivirotto's squad continues their longest road trip of the season with a Landmark Conference tilt on Saturday afternoon at Juniata. Action is slated to get underway at 4 p.m.
--ROYALS--
