Box Score

Just two days after a thrilling overtime victory at Hanover, the Spalding University men's soccer team lost to Thomas More 4-3 in their first match of the Bob Allen Nissan Classic. The Golden Eagles were down 3-1 at the halftime break, a deficit that would grow to 4-1 shortly after the start of the second half. They were able to cut the score to 4-3 with ample time remaining to equalize, but were unable to grab the much needed goal that would have extended the game.
 
Just seven minutes into the match, Thomas More exploited a sluggish start from the Spalding defense by forcing a turnover and punishing the Golden Eagles with an early goal. Spalding responded quickly with a lovely left-footed curler by Julio De Leon that beat the Thomas More goalkeeper and tied the score at 1-1 in the 9th minute.
 
In the 14th minute, Logan Spencer's mishit clearance led to another Thomas More goal. Spencer received a back pass and hurried his kick. The ball went directly to the feet of a Thomas More attacker who was able to finish the play by putting the ball into the back of the net. One minute later, Spalding again tried to answer quickly, but was unlucky when Joey Lesher's shot took a deflection and went over the crossbar. On the ensuing corner kick, a ball played in by De Leon went off a Thomas More defender and then kissed the post, but did not cross the goal line.
 
In what ultimately will become a learning experience of a half, Thomas More capitalized on another mistake by scoring a goal in the 31st minute. Possession of the ball was lost in the middle of the park leading to a run out, and an easy finish that pushed Thomas More's lead to 3-1. The Golden Eagles entered halftime facing a 3-1 deficit.
 
Just four minutes into the second half, a questionable call would allow Thomas More to push their lead to 4-1 after they were able to put away a penalty kick. Soon after, the Golden Eagles would again respond with a goal in the 53rd minute. Jacob McMurry played a ball out to a waiting Aden Abdirahman on the left wing. Abdirahman took on two defenders, got to the baseline, cut the ball back, and then fired a strike that ultimately found the back of the net.
 
Just two minutes later, Spalding was on the receiving end of a poor decision by the head official. Lesher was fouled in the box and should have been awarded an opportunity from the penalty spot. However, the ball was placed just outside of the 18-yard box. De Leon's following free kick smashed right into the Thomas More wall and was cleared from the area.
 
In the 62nd minute the Golden Eagles were on the end of another unfortunate bounce. Abdullahi Abdullahi sent a ball out to Abdirahman, who was moving with pace down the right side. Abdirahman cut inside and hit a shot that got behind the Thomas More goalkeeper, but took a cruel bounce off the post. Abdirahman's shot was the second unfortunate bounce of the ball off the post for the Spalding attack.
 
Spalding's resiliency in the second half continued to show, as the Golden Eagles were able to close the deficit to 4-3 in the 83rd minute. Abdirahman played a ball towards Abdullahi, who was making a run into the box. Abdullahi collected the ball and fired a shot that was saved by the Thomas More goalkeeper. The rebound bounced out to Lesher, who was located at the top of the 18-yard box. Lesher fired a shot towards goal that Abdullahi grabbed from out of the air. Abdullahi was able to finish the play by tucking the ball underneath of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
 
The final few minutes of the game were frantic as Spalding pushed numbers forward in an effort to level the game. However, the effort fell short and Thomas More was able to escape with a 4-3 victory.
 
Next up for the Spalding University men's soccer team is match two of the Bob Allen Nissan Classic. The Golden Eagles will play against Defiance at 5:30 p.m., EST. It will be Spalding's third game in four days.