FREDERICK, Md. – The men's soccer squad played even stride down the stretch with Elizabethtown but a three-shot sequence broke the game open in the second half which resulted in the only goal of the match in favor of the Blue Jays in the 1-0 loss at Thomas Athletic Field on Wednesday night.
Inside the Box Score
Aidan Wright (Ijamsville, Md./Oakdale) had three shots, one on goal.
Cristian Topovich (Frederick, Md./Oakdale) had three shots of his own.
How it Happened
The Blazers came out on the front foot, generating the first chance of the match just over a minute into play when
Aidan Wright (Ijamsville, Md./Oakdale) fired a shot that sailed just high and right of the target. Hood continued to pressure early, earning corner kicks in the eighth and 10th minutes while controlling stretches of possession.
Defensively, Hood remained consistent throughout the opening half. After Elizabethtown earned several corners, goalkeeper
Adam Labows (Leonardtown, Md./Leonardtown) was called upon in the 26' minute and came up with a save on a shot from Caba Alvarez to keep the contest scoreless. Alvarez would find himself open multiple times during this game.
Hood and Elizabethtown battled to a scoreless draw through the opening 45 minutes, with neither side able to find the decisive touch.
The Blazers came out aggressively after the break. The Blazers immediately earned another corner kick and nearly took the lead in the 49' when
Chito Alvarez (Silver Spring, Md./Montgomery Blair) forced a save from Elizabethtown goalkeeper Logan Sumner.
Despite the strong start by the Blazers, Elizabethtown capitalized on its opportunity in the 54'. Following a sequence of attacking chances, an Alvarez blocked shot and a save by Labows wasn't enough for the third attempt when Will Withall found the back of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
Trailing by a goal, Hood pressed forward in search of an equalizer. The Blazers nearly responded in the 62' when Wright put a shot on frame, but Sumner made the save to preserve the lead.
Hood continued to attack as the second half progressed.
Austin Heffner (Frederick, Md./Urbana) tested the goalkeeper in the 73' with a shot destined for the lower corner, but Sumner came through with another stop. Topovich added another attempt from distance, while the Blazers pushed numbers forward in the final stages.
The best late opportunity came in the 88th minute when
Timmy Hill (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) directed a shot on target, but Sumner made his fourth save of the match to deny Hood's equalizing bid. The Blazers were unable to break through in the closing minutes as Elizabethtown held on for the 1-0 victory
For the Opponent
Will Withall scored the Etown goal.
Caba Alvarez put up five shots, one on goal.
Analysis
The Blue Jays made four saves on the night.
Notes
Hood falls to 3-5-0.
Elizabethtown advances to 4-2-2.
Up Next
The squad will celebrate their Senior Day at home this Saturday, September 23 with kickoff set for 5 p.m. against King's College of Pennsylvania with celebrations to start a half hour prior to the game.
