Men’s Soccer Falls Short in Road Match at Dean

FRANKLIN, Mass. – The Mitchell College men's soccer team suffered a 3-2 setback on Wednesday afternoon in a GNAC road match against Dean College. The Mariners dropped to 2-3-2 on the year in GNAC play, while the Bulldogs improved their conference record to 4-2-1.

Junior Dylan Lucey (Lebanon, Conn.) and freshman Nathan Da Cruz (Goiânia, Brazil) both scored for Mitchell, and they collected assists on each other's goals.

Riding a win streak of three games entering play, the Bulldogs came out and gained early momentum by jumping ahead when sophomore Jake Richard notched his second goal of the season with just over eight minutes gone by on an assist by Shavar Champagnie. Less than five minutes later, Dean made it a two score advantage, as Reinorf Kusi scored for the first time this fall.

The Mariners were able to get one back in the 39th minute when Lucey took possession at the top of the goalie box and made a quick pass to a streaking Da Cruz, which set freshman up for his first collegiate goal. However, the Bulldogs were able to extend their edge before halftime when Luke Palmer fired off his fifth goal of the season with under five minutes remaining on the clock.

The second half began with Mitchell facing a 3-1 deficit, but it would not remain there for long. Just minutes after play resumed, junior Nick Forst (Ellington, Conn.) gained possession on the defensive end and immediately sent a pass to a Da Cruz, who took the ball in stride on while moving down the far side. Da Cruz continued into the goalie box, pulling the Dean keeper towards him as he approached, but dished it off to Lucey at the last moment, which allowed the junior an open running shot on net. The goal was a team-high fourth of the season for Lucey, moving him just three shy of his career-best mark in a single season.

Unfortunately for the Mariners, they would be unable to deliver an equalizer goal, as the Bulldogs defense clamped down and prevented any quality shots down the stretch. Dean held a slight advantage in total shots, 12-10, shots on goal, 7-6, and corner kick opportunities, 3-1. Lucey led Mitchell with three shots on goal, while Noslin Antunez (Westbrook, Conn.) McWill Adu Asare (East Hartford, Conn.), and Da Cruz registered one shot on goal each.

Freshman Jesse Jenkins (Windsor, Conn.) logged all 90 minutes in goal and came away with three saves against six shots on net. Dean senior Alberto Gonzalez Del Rio collected the win, making four saves against six shots.

The Mariners (2-3-3, 2-3-2 GNAC) are scheduled to return to conference play on Saturday, September 30th, at Anna Maria College at 5:00 pm. The Bulldogs (6-2-1, 4-2-1 GNAC) will play at Colby-Sawyer College on Saturday, September 30th.