Springfield Tops Men's Soccer 2-0

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College men's soccer team suffered a 2-0 defeat to Springfield College on Friday afternoon at Alumni Field.

Danny Amato and Drew Sommer each tallied goals for the Pride in their season opener while goalkeepers Billy Schmid and Zach Richard combined for the shutout. Springfield held a commanding 25-3 edge in shots and didn't allow an attempt on goal.

The Pride needed just 1:43 to record their first goal of the season. John Mankus set up the score with a long throw in from the right sideline that found Amato. His header slipped inside the right post to give Springfield an early 1-0 lead.

Drew Vanasse nearly gave the visitors another tally in the 11th minute when he volleyed a ball out of mid-air with a bicycle kick and put it on goal. However, goalkeeper Ramazan Sinani made an athletic stop by punching the ball over the crossbar to keep the Mariners close.

The Pride attempted a total of 12 shots in the first half but couldn't add to their lead before the break. Sinani turned away four shots in the stanza.

Springfield added its second goal of the contest in the 71st minute off another header, this time by Sommer. Scott Saucier stripped a defender of the ball and sent a cross to the far post that Sommer put on goal. Sinani was able to deflect the shot straight up into the air, but it landed untouched and still had enough pace to find the back of the net.

Sinani finished with six saves over 90 minutes. Schmid got the starting nod and played the first half while Richard took over for the second.

Mitchell (0-3-0 overall) will next host Johnson & Wales University on Wednesday, September 11 at 4 p.m.