ANNVILLE, PA – The 20
th ranked Lebanon Valley Flying Dutchmen got two first half goals to race past the York College men's soccer squad 3-1 in non-conference play in Annville on Wednesday. The teams, who have been playing as conference opponents the last two years, are again non-conference foes after LVC headed to the MAC Freedom side of the league this fall.
The Dutchmen improve to 6-1 while the Spartans fall to 2-2-2. The loss snaps a four match Spartan unbeaten streak.
How It Happened
• The Dutchmen had a pair of shots in the first five minutes of the game as Spartan net minder
Michael DiPierro recorded a pair of saves. LVC got on the board in the 14
th minute after the Spartans committed a turnover in their defensive end. Lucas Strange stole the ball about 15 yards outside the top of the box. He slid a pass to Nathan Prex who had to individually beat a pair of defenders before ripping a shot to the back of the net for the 1-0 lead. The goal was Prex's team-leading eighth goal of the year.
• The Spartans looked like they were going to get the equalizer just under a minute later as
Cole Kendra hit a great shot that caromed off the cross bar as the Dutchmen maintained their lead.
• LVC added to the advantage in the 26
th minute as the Dutchmen had a corner kick. The kick was initially cleared by the Green and White but Aidan Smith collected the loose ball at the top of the box. He unleashed a shot that was blocked and the rebound came right back to his foot. He took advantage of the second chance as he slotted a shot into the cage for the 2-0 lead.
• York trimmed their deficit in half in the 40
th minute of play.
Shaun Apsley made a nice interception of a Dutchmen pass and hit a ball to
Matt Martin on the outside of the box. Martin drove the ball to his left before unleashing a rocket into the upper right 90 for the Spartans' first goal. The tally was Martin's second goal of the year.
• The Dutchmen out shot the Spartans 12-6 in the first half including a 6-1 margin in shots on goal. LVC held a slim 3-2 edge in corner kicks.
• LVC pushed their lead back to two goals in 57
th minute as Strange and Aidan Negron had a nice give and go. Strange collected a loose ball and pushed a pass over to Negron. Strange then made a nice run to the box where he sidestepped a pair of defenders and hit a hard ground ball inside the left post for the 3-1 lead.
• The Spartans had some chances in the second 45 of play as they fired off seven shots with six coming on goal as Dutchmen goalie Dalton Fitterling made six second half saves.
Spartan Notes
The Spartans are now 16-4 all-time against LVC as the teams have split their last two games … LVC finished the game out shooting York 21-13 including 10-7 in shots on goal … the Dutchmen held a 5-3 edge in corner kicks …
Matt Martin notched his second goal of the season in the loss … the three goals allowed was a season-high for York … York was out shot for the third time this year … sophomore keeper
Michael DiPierro registered a career-high seven saves in the match as he faced a season-high 21 shots.
Up Next
The Spartans return to Graham Field on Saturday afternoon as they renew their rivalry with Salisbury University. The Sea Gulls and Spartans, long time Capital Athletic Conference rivals, will square off for the 52
nd time in school history. Kick-off is set for 3:00 pm
