Millville, PA – The York College men's soccer team posted a 1-0 season-opening victory Tuesday evening over Susquehanna University at Millville High School's Millard C. Ludwig Stadium. The win improves the Spartans' regular season record to a flawless 27-0 stretching back to the end of the 2007 campaign.

Sophomore Kemal Nuspahic (East Petersburg, Pa./Warwick) provided the game-winner for the Green and White in the game's 65th-minute. Senior Travis Williams (Springfield, Pa./Springfield Township) secured possession for the Spartans in the middle of the field and quickly found Nuspahic in York's offensive third. The reigning conference Rookie-of-the-Year sailed a quick strike from 25 yards out over Crusader goalkeeper B.J. Merriam for the match's lone tally.

The Spartans had bountiful opportunities on the evening as the Green and White posted 25 shots to Susquehanna's four. After a back and forth and scoreless first half, York exploded with 19 shots over the final 45 minutes.

The Green and White consistently peppered the Crusader net over the final frame including two bursts of note. Between the 69:03 and 72:30 marks of the match, York rattled off four shots from three different players – freshman Antonio Bua (Lancaster, Pa./Laupeter-Strasburg), junior Mike O'Connell (Bowie, Md./Archbishop Spalding), and Nuspahic – while recording seven attempts over the final ten minutes. However, the combination of blocked shots and a solid effort from Merriam prevented the Spartans from adding any insurance tallies.

Aside from their shot margin, the Spartans also held a commanding 13-0 lead in corner kicks.

Senior goalkeeper Ryan Hock (Brookeville, Md./Sherwood) records the victory as he was not forced to make a save over his 90 minutes. Merriam, who helped keep his squad in the game throughout the evening, was credited with eight saves on the evening and cleared away numerous dangerous chances.

Returning to action on Saturday, September 5, the Spartans travel to Buffalo, N.Y. for a match with Medaille. The “under-the-lights” non-conference tilt is slated for a 7:00 pm start.

BOX SCORE

Kemal Nuspahic photo courtesy of Steve Doemland