Babson Park, Mass. - November 4, 2021 - The Springfield College men's soccer program fell to Babson College, 1-0, in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Men's Soccer Championship Tournament Semifinal on Thursday afternoon at Hartwell-Rodger Field.

Springfield's record drops to 10-7 overall, while Babson, who was ranked No. 23 United Soccer Coaches Poll, will advance to the NEWMAC Championship contest. 

Just 37 seconds into the contest, the Beavers benefitted off a rebound flick-in from Giancarlo Arguello to jump out to a 1-0 lead. The Beavers attempted to add to their lead with a shot from Robert Dunne, at 26:16, however Clayton Knibbs (Madison, Conn.) made an athletic stretch up to the crossbar to handle the shot attempt. Knibbs continued to keep the Babson attack at bay as the junior recorded three-straight saves with under 10 minutes to play.

Maitoe Suppasuesanguan (Bangpongpang, Yannawa, Bangkok) freed himself up to get a shot off in the 38th minute, yet the shot was a touch over the crossbar as the score remained at 1-0. Babson looked to take a 2-0 edge in the 42nd-minute as Ryan Goss snuck a shot past an approaching Knibbs, however Jack Costa (Rocky Point, N.Y.) put forth an outstanding effort to boot out the try for the defensive save. Knibbs would close out the half with a save, which stalled the score at 1-0 at the break. 

The Beavers again would receive a scoring chance in the 50th-minute from Mitchell Collins that was blocked by the Silva. The block would result in a header attempt from Ben Cawood, which soared past Knibbs, but yet again, Costa would dive the way to avoid the score for the Pride. 

In the 64th-minute Jack Rosenberg (Simsbury, Conn.) placed a direct kick on frame from about 15 yards that was aimed at the right side of the net, however Rubin scooped up the Pride's chance at tying the contest and maintained the 1-0 score. The Pride continued to push for the equalizing goal throughout the remainder the half with Andrew Ma (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) ripping a shot towards the left post that Rubin swallowed up. Rosenberg would give the Pride one last chance to even the game in the 90th-minute, but the shot sailed wide and allowed the Beavers to take the victory.  

In a game where Babson held a 19-14 edge in shots, Knibbs totaled seven saves for the Pride.

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