Goshen College

GOSHEN, Ind. - In their home opener, men's soccer faced off against the Cougars of Cleary University where they fell 1-0 after an intense battle. The match was quite a physical one, with a total of 29 fouls being called over the course of the game. 

However, the Cougars nearly doubled the Maple Leafs in this regard  — Cleary came away with 19 fouls and GC with 10. The physicality of the match did produce a few more yellow cards, this time with three going against the Cougars, and only two for the Maple Leafs. 

Shots were traded back and forth relatively evenly in the first half, with each team finding one particularly dangerous chance that they just weren't quite able to capitalize on. In the end though, Cleary was able to convert in the 55th minute with an unassisted goal from Austin Dyson, who played a successful long shot just over the fingers of Gabriel Viau, who was just short of snagging the save. 

After going up, the Cougars chose to play much more defensively to hold their lead. This was a successful strategy for them, as though the Leafs did generate a few more chances and controlled possession for much of the second half, they weren't able to find the back of the net. During this time, Nicholas Whitaker and Pedro Diegues both had nice attempts that just didn't end up falling. 

Coming off their success in set pieces in the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods game, the Leafs looked very dangerous on corners once again today, but were a bit unlucky with how things were falling. If they continue this pattern, more goals will surely come from the corner as the season goes on. 

The Leafs are back in action on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 3 p.m. in another home match up where they will face the #23 ranked team in the NAIA, Madonna University.