Unlucky Day: Men’s Soccer Loses to Huntington, 3-0

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**Official stats/box score not available at the time of release**

HUNTINGTON, Ind. — The Marygrove men’s soccer team traveled south to Huntington, Ind. to take on the Foresters of Huntington University on Saturday (Sept. 5) for the first meeting between the NAIA schools from bordering states. The Mustangs dropped to 1-2 on the season after suffering through an unlucky day on the pitch as the host Foresters (2-1) walked away with a 3-0 victory.

After a lengthy lightning delay prior to the game, the Foresters wasted no time in grabbing the lead as Lucas Lengacher beat the Mustangs defense and keeper Ayman Youssef in the seventh minute. The Foresters would take the 1-0 lead to the half despite facing many quality Mustang chances throughout the remainder of the opening stanza.

In the second half, the Foresters would use 62nd and 84th minute goals to pull way with a 3-0 victory despite behind outshot by the Mustangs on the afternoon.

In all, Marygrove outshot the Foresters 17-10, including owning an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal. Abdoulie Jallow (Bansang, The Gambia/Rust College) led the Mustangs with five shots (three on goal), while leading scorer Gbenga Ayanwale (Osun State, Nigeria/Atanda International) followed closely with four shots (two on goal).

Huntington goalie James Couchman earned the shutout win; his second in a row after the Foresters blanked fellow NAIA school Trinity Christian 6-0 in their previous outing. Couchman denied all eight Mustang shots and narrowly escaped many additional chances that went wide of the post in each half.

Youssef, one of two talented goalies added by head coach Matt Johnson over the offseason, turned away one Forester shot in his first outing for the Green and Gold.

The Mustangs enter one of their toughest weeks of the season next, traveling first to Pittsburgh, Pa. on Thursday (Sept. 10) for a tough contest at Point Park. The Green and Gold return home for a Saturday (Sept. 12) matinee with Saint Xavier (Ill.) – a team they topped by a 3-1 final tally in Chicago last year – before traveling to face NCAA Division II No. 18 Saginaw Valley State University on Sunday (Sept. 13).

MEN’S SOCCER CONTACT: Tim Johnston | [email protected]/* */ | @tjohnston56
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