By Andrew Snyder
Sports Information Intern

Freshman Ollie Smith tallied his fourth goal of the year to give Goshen College an early 1-0 lead, but two second-half Taylor University goals would be enough for a 2-1 win Wednesday night in a Crossroads League men's soccer matchup at Turner Stadium

The Maple Leafs (4-6-4, 2-3-1) found a mismatch on the field almost immediately, as Smith was able to beat the Trojan right back three consecutive times. On his third try, the left winger continued on to beat another defender along the top of the penalty area before calmly firing a low shot inside the near post to take a 1-0 lead after just more than 10 minutes.

Taylor (4-9-2, 2-4) would come close to scoring later in the half when a ball bouncing around in the box was shot on frame, but Goshen sophomore goalkeeper Johan Escalante deflected it wide with his left leg to keep the score at 1-0 entering halftime.

In the opening 45 minutes, the Trojans outshot the Maple Leafs 8-6 while the teams split the corner kicks 2-2. Escalante made five of his game-high eight saves, one short of his career high, in the first half.

The second 45 minutes were a much different story as the hosts started gaining confidence on their own field. In the 67th minute, that momentum paid off, as the Trojans equalized when a punt from goalie Luke Williams bounced off the artificial surface at the top of the offensive penalty area before Gabe Saliba volleyed the ball home to knot the game at 1 apiece.

Winnowed down to 10 men after a collision in the box on a free kick resulted in a red card, Goshen continued to push for the game-winner. But with 8:21 left, the cookie crumbled the other way. Saliba lobbed a cross across the goal mouth for teammate Gonzalo Iglesias to put away and the Trojans took the 2-1 advantage that would stick until the final whistle.

The Maple Leafs finished with 11 shots and four corner kicks, which the Trojans more than countered with 20 shots and five corner kicks. Goshen committed 15 fouls while Taylor was whistled for 13 violations. Williams made four saves, all with his team trailing or tied, to post the win in goal for TU.

Goshen returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Mount Vernon Nazarene University at the John Ingold Athletic Complex with kickoff set for 7 p.m.