YORK, Pa. – For only the third time in 49 home matches, a span that dates back to the 2006 campaign, the York College men's soccer team suffered a home defeat. On Wednesday afternoon, the #10 Spartans fell to #6 Johns Hopkins 2-1 in double overtime on York's Graham Field. The Spartans drop to 2-1 on the young season while the Blue Jays improve to a flawless 3-0.

Since the 2006 campaign, when the Green and White began to play their home games at Graham Field, the Spartans sport an outstanding 42-3-4 record, having fallen to Salisbury 1-0 in 2007 and Christopher Newport by that same score last October.

Hopkins picked up the non-conference triumph by opening the scoring in the 11th minute as Evan Kleinberg and Sean Coleman combined on a set piece just outside the Spartan 18-yard box. Following a Green and White foul, Kleinberg stood over the free kick and tapped a pass to Coleman. The Blue Jay junior ripped a low blast that found its way past the Spartan wall and tucked inside the left post for the game's opening salvo.

The Blue Jays continued to push the pace as York struggled to create quality chances in the attacking third.

That all changed however in the 79th minute. Aaron Beale, who had entered the second half at the 58-minute mark, lofted what looked to be a service from the right side of the pitch near the six-yard box. Senior forward Mike O'Connell came through looking for the diving header but was unable to connect. That unintentional feign worked out for the Spartan side as O'Connell drew the attention of Hopkins goalkeeper Ravi Gill. Beale's service slipped through the box untouched before crossing the goal line on the left side knotting the score a one piece. Beale's first score of his collegiate career proved a key one.

Neither side was able to finish in regulation, allowing the game to spill into overtime.

Hopkins registered a pair of dangerous chances in the first extra session – a service that was punched wide by York netminder Jesse Derksen and another that resulted in a Hopkins shot that sailed wide of the Spartan goal – but the Green and White defense held as the game crept into the second extra frame.

It would be then that Hopkins' Thomas Mourmouras gave the visitors the victory. In the 106th minute, Danny Reategui combined with Mourmouras at the top of the 18-yard box. Mourmouras then struck a lofted shot that sailed into the back of the Spartan for the game-winner.

For the game, the Blue Jays outshot York 16-6 including an 8-2 margin in shots on goal. Hopkins also owned a 9-6 advantage in corner kicks.

Gill picks up the win in the Blue Jay net as he was forced to only make one save, albeit one that was a terrific diving stop on an Antonio Bua's shot in the 74th minute. Derksen suffers the loss despite making five saves. In addition to Beale's goal, he also denied a Hopkins tally as he cleared an attempt off the within the game's first four minutes.

The Spartans now fall to 2-1-2 against Johns Hopkins since 2007. Hopkins' first goal of the game was the first they had scored against the Green and White in 388:32 of play. Furthermore, York's tying score was the first they had tallied on the Blue Jay squad in 344:49.

The Green and White will look to rebound quickly as they host the Country Inn and Suites / Parma Pizza York College Soccer Tournament on September 11 and 12. York plays host to Medaille on Saturday at 4:30 pm from Graham Field. The winner will play in Sunday's 3:00 pm championship against either Wilkes or McDaniel who square-off at 2:15 on Saturday.

GAME BOX

Aaron Beale photo courtesy of Zach Clabaugh - www.sharpedgefoto.com