Springfield, Mass. - October 20, 2021- The Springfield College men's soccer program dropped a 1-0 non-conference battle to Wesleyan on Wednesday night at Brock-Affleck Field. 

Springfield snaps their five-game home winning streak with the loss and remains 8-5 overall, as Wesleyan improves to 9-2-2 on the season. Springfield held the Cardinal to just eight shots.

Springfield and Wesleyan stayed deadlocked at 0-0 through the entire first frame with programs attacking for scoring opportunities. In the 26th-minute, Aiden Casinghino (Brimfield, Mass.) came striding down field with clear view of the goal, however, Devanny scooped it up to maintain the scoreless tie. At 19:55, Lucas Ruehlemann approached the box and tried to sneak in a goal, but Patrick Silva (Pittsfield, Mass.) closed out the attempt allowing for Knibbs to make the routine save. In the final minutes of the first half, the Cardinal controlled possession and looked to take a lead going into the half. At 43:54 Zach Wheeler sent a corner kick into the box that Wesleyan received, but the Cardinal could not get past the defensive wall of Springfield as Brandon Trent (Commack, N.Y.) cleared out the ball and allowed the game to head to half time at 0-0.

Springfield continued their stellar defensive performance into the second half by blocking several shots that Wesleyan attempted. Springfield had a chance to strike the first goal of the contest as Ian Macala (Vernon, Conn.) took a through ball into the box in the 68th-minute, however was met by Devanny. At 85:25, Knibbs came out to break up the attack from Matt Rubinstein in the box, however Rubinstein was able to clip the ball low into the goal for the 1-0 go-ahead score. Springfield remained focused in the final four minutes, but could not find their tying goal leading to the 1-0 victory for the visitors. 

Springfield will return to NEWMAC play on Saturday as the Pride travel to Clark for a 2 pm matchup with the Cougars.

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