Box Score YORK, Pa. – The York College men's soccer team fell to the Misericordia University Cougars 3-2 on Saturday afternoon in York.
The Cougars improve to 4-1-1 on the season while the Spartans fall to 2-4-1.
The Cougars applied heavy pressure early and often but were unable to find a way to finish thanks in large part to the superb play of senior defenseman Ryan Donahue (York, Pa. / York Suburban) who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time with a clearing header or boot. Scott Ashbridge (Hazlet, N.J. / Raritan) also provided defensive reliability with some clears of his own.
The Spartans got most of their offensive chances in the first half off of fast-breaks as opposed to manufacturing long offensive possessions. In the 12th minute, sophomore Joel Teston (Manassas, Va. / Forest Park) sent a through ball up field to senior Greg Bechard (Newark, Del. / Salesianum) who fired a right-footed rocket from the right side of the box into the back of the net for his third goal of the season.
In the 24th minute, Misericordia finally broke through with a goal as Parker McArdle picked up the loose ball inside the box, made a move around his defender, and curled his shot into the net for his first goal of the season, tying the game at one. Misericordia had another opportunity about a minute later when Devin Crevani received a nice crossing pass but shot the ball high.
With just under three minutes to play in the first half, senior Peter Lundgaard (Greenville, Del. / Salesianum) was able to intercept the Misericordia goal kick but lost control of the ball as he approached the 18-yard box as York couldn't capitalize on the great opportunity.
In the 49th minute, Brendan Saberton (Wilmington, Del. / Salesianum) took a corner kick which was then headed in by his twin brother, Christopher Saberton (Wilmington, Del. / Salesianum) to go ahead 2-1. The goal was Christopher Saberton's second of the season.
The Cougars' response came in the 71st minute when Trey Ziegler sent a crossing pass into the box which was then headed in by David Malaquias. The equalizer was Malaquias's first goal of the season.
The rest of the match was very evenly matched with both teams getting seemingly an equal number of chances. In the 83rd minute, Ryan Ockford (Langhorne, Pa. / Holy Ghost Prep) took a shot off a free quick which was saved. Four minutes later, Misericordia got a chance of their own to take the lead when Derek Antonini received a pass from Nick Rogers off a corner kick but headed it just wide of the net. Finally, in the 88th minute, the tie was broken when Rogers took another corner kick but this time was able to find Ziegler who headed in the go-ahead goal, his second of the season.
Charlie Johnson (Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin) took this loss in this contest but made some dazzling saves to keep the game close including a save on a Misericordia breakaway midway through the second half which sustained the then 2-1 York lead. Goalkeeper P.J. Steiner saved six shots and picked up his fourth win of the season for the Cougars.
The Spartans outshot the Cougars 12-11 in total shots and held an 8-6 advantage in shots on goal. Misericordia finished the game with nine total fouls and two yellow cards while York finished with 12 total fouls and one yellow card.
The Spartans return to action on Tuesday when they host nationally ranked Messiah College at 4:00 pm at Graham Field
Story written by Will Wallace – Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Greg Bechard photo courtesy of Joe Rodgers
