YORK, PA – The York College men's soccer team got a pair of goals from Brayden Safley as they downed Albright College 2-0 in MAC Commonwealth action on Tuesday night in York.
Safley scored one goal in each have to power the Spartans to the much-needed conference win as they are still alive for a MAC Commonwealth tournament bid.
York improves to 6-6-3 overall while they are now 3-3 in the conference. Albright falls to 8-6-1 overall and 0-5-1 in the league.
 
How It Happened
• The Spartans pressured the Lions early and often in the game. The Green and White forced Albright goalie Cooper Walters to make seven saves in the first 26 minutes of the game. The Spartans continue to control the possession and that control finally paid off in the 38^th minute as senior Brayden Safley scooped up a loose ball and fired an absolute rocket into the back of the net from the top of the box for the 1-0 lead.
• The Spartans out shot the Lions 14-1 in the first half including 9-0 in shots on goal. York also had a pair of corner kicks in the first 45 minutes of play.
• The Green and White had a fantastic chance to add to the lead in the 67 minute as the Spartans made a great push forward. Tyler Howlett beat three Lion defenders and ripped a shot that caromed off the post. The rebound went right to Jack Mitzelfelt who had a chance to score but Albright defender Adam Archambault cleared the ball off the line to keep the Spartan lead at one. With just over nine minutes remaining in the game, the Lions had a breakaway opportunity but freshman defender Dylan Marco tracked back and made a fantastic individual play to win the ball in the box and clear it away, preventing a dangerous Lion chance.
• The Spartans added to the lead in the 83^rd minute as Noah Roche played a ball down the right sideline. The junior forward hit a great centering pass that Safley collected and calmly booted home for his second goal of the night.
• York killed off the remaining 7:18 of the game to earn their third league win. The Spartans ended the game with a 29-4 edge in total shots including 17-1 in shots on goal. York also held a 9-3 margin in corner kicks. Walters recorded 14 saves in net for the Lions as the score could have been more lopsided if not for his efforts in cage.
 
Spartan Notes
York improves to 8-0 all-time against the Lions … the Spartans improve to 3-1-3 at Graham Field this year … York has won four of their last six matches … freshman keeper Jake Bono earned his second career shutout as he improves to 4-3 with the victory … the shutout is the Spartans' fourth clean sheet of the year … remove Bono's collegiate debut against #2 Mary Washington and he has only surrendered five goals in six games … for the first time in his career, senior Brayden Safley scored two goals in a game … the game-winner was his second game-deciding goal this year … the Spartans had a season high in total shots (29) and shots on goal (17) … York has combined for 51 shots and seven goals in their last two games … York has out-scored their last six opponents by a combined score of 13-5.
 
Up Next
The Spartans close out their 2023 regular season on Saturday night as they welcome nationally ranked Messiah University to Graham Field for a MAC Commonwealth contest. The Falcons are the number one team in the country and come into the game with a mark of 16-0-1. Game time in York is set for 6:00 pm.