Men’s Soccer Suffers First Loss, No Longer No. 1

By Julie Baumgarten
Staff Writer

This past week, the men’s soccer team experienced its first winless week so far this season. Though still number one in the East Coast Conference, the Pioneers fell to the Post University Eagles and tied the Mercy College Mavericks last week.

The Pioneers traveled to Waterbury, Conn. Wednesday, Oct. 23 to play the Eagles. The game was scoreless at halftime and well into the second period. It was looking like overtime would be the deciding factor of this match, but the Eagles had other plans. With less than four minutes remaining, the Eagles’ Joe Baccielo managed to dribble past two Pioneer defenders and score what would be the winning goal. The Pioneers made the best of the remaining time on the clock, but it wasn’t enough. The Pioneers lost for the first time this season to the Post University Eagles, 1-0.

Coming off the first loss of the season, the Pioneers hosted the Mercy College Mavericks Saturday, Oct. 26. The Mavericks were quick to get the game started, scoring the first goal less than five minutes into the first period. The Pioneers did their best to score, but trailed 1-0 at the half. Less than five minutes into the second half the Mavericks scored again, leaving the Pioneer fans holding their breath for almost 25 minutes.

Finally, junior forward Eivind Austboe scored for the Pioneers, his 20th goal of the season. It was an offensive struggle for both teams, but freshman forward Johann Kristjansson managed to score for the Pioneers off an assist by senior forward Cemil Turan. With about seven minutes remaining in regulation, the Pioneers found opportunities for three shots on the Mavericks goal. Unfortunately the regulation clock would run out before the Pioneers could score.

Double overtime came and went without any change to the scoreboard. The Pioneers tied for the first time this season, 2-2. With the tie, the Pioneers won their third straight ECC regular season championship, and will be hosting the East Coast Conference Tournament that starts on Nov. 7.

The Pioneers close out the regular season on the road this week. The men travel to Washington, D.C. to take on the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds on Wednesday, Oct. 30, and to Queens, N.Y. to take on the Queens College Knights Saturday, Nov. 2.