SELINSGROVE, PA – The York College men's soccer squad continued their impressive start to the season as they recorded their second shutout of the season with a 4-0 road win at Susquehanna University on Tuesday night in Selinsgrove, PA.
The Spartans got two first half goals and then two more in the final five minutes of the game to provide for York's final margin of victory.
The Spartans improve to 3-0-2 overall while the River Hawks fall to 3-1.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The River Hawks had a little momentum early in the game as they got a pair of fouls just outside the box. Fortunately for York, Susquehanna was unable to put a short-ranged shot on goal. The Spartans countered five minutes later as Gavin Bealer carried the ball down the right sideline. He delivered a crisp pass into the box as Noah Roche was running onto the ball. Roche one-timed a shot for his third goal of the year, giving the Spartans the 1-0 lead in the 18^th minute of play.
• The River Hawks had a chance in the 20^th minute but Max Paczewski chipped a shot over the top of the goal as the Spartans escaped the Susquehanna opportunity. The Green and White made it 2-0 in the 24^th minute as York earned a corner kick. The initial kick got cleared out but Luke Nall collected the loose ball and unleashed an arcing 30 yard pass into the box. Fellow senior Tyler Howlett elevated over a defender to snap a header inside the right post for his first goal of the year.
• The Spartans out shot the River Hawks 5-2 overall including 5-1 in shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes of play. Susquehanna held a 3-2 edge in corner kicks.
• York got off to a good start to the second half as they fired off a trio of shots in the opening ten minutes of the stanza. York continued to pressure as they maintained consistent possession over the first 20 minutes of the half. Roche nearly netted his second goal of the night as he had an opportunity at the top of the box in the 66^th minute. His shot ended up above the cross bar as the River Hawks escaped a three-goal deficit with 24 minutes remaining in the match.
•The Spartans had a three-minute flurry as they had four corner kicks and four shots inside the final seven minutes of the game. The Spartans finally capitalized on their pressure as Gavin Huey finished off a Matt Zeiders corner kick for his second goal of the year in the 87^th minute. The Spartans tacked on a penalty kick goal in the 88^th minute as sophomore Ricky Cicmanec converted the chance after a River Hawk foul in the box.
• York finished the match with an 18-6 margin in shots and an 11-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Spartans also earned nine corners to four for the hosts.
 
Spartan Notes
The Spartans are now 28-9-5 all-time against Susquehanna … the teams tied 2-2 last year but York is 5-0-1 in the last six between the two teams … the Spartans had four different goal scorers and three different players who registered assists for a combined seven different players who registered at least a point … the four goals were a season-high for the Green and White as were the 11 points scored … the shutout is the second of the year … the Spartans have outscored their five opponents 12-3 and out shot their opponents 68-43 … the 11 shots on goal were a season-high … the Spartan defense has been outstanding as they allowed just six shots for the second straight game and third time overall … after allowing seven shots on goal in the opener against Carnegie Mellon, the defense has surrendered just nine shots on goal in four matches … sophomore Ricky Cicmanec collected his first collegiate goal as he converted York's first penalty kick of the year … senior Noah Roche recorded his team-leading third goal of the year to open the scoring in the first … senior Tyler Howlett got his first goal of the campaign on the nice first half header … Gavin Huey found the back of the net for his second goal of the year in the second half … the Spartans have had seven different players score their 12 goals while they have had six different players record their seven assists … sophomore goalie Jake Bono continues to play well as he registered 87:11 of shutout soccer as he notched one save but also made some plays that prevented Susquehanna from having more dangerous opportunities.
 
Up Next
The Spartans return home on Saturday afternoon as they host Lancaster Bible College in a non-conference contest. Kick off from Graham Field is set for 3:00 pm.