New Haven, Conn. - August 30, 2024 - A penalty kick late in the second half by Cole Sampson (Hingham, Mass.) secured a 1-1 draw for the Springfield College men's soccer team against Albertus Magnus College in the season opener for both squads this afternoon. Both teams begin the 2024 campaign, 0-0-1.

The host Falcons scored less than 30 seconds into their season as a long ball was served into the box and was finished by Lorenzo Lauria for the early edge. In a match, which only featured 20 total shots - 10 for both teams - it looked like one goal was going to be enough until the Pride caught a break in the 76th minute.

After the ball was passed into the box, a hand ball was called, securing the penalty kick chance for Springfield. In his first penalty kick chance of his career, Sampson buried the ball into the upper left corner of the net for the equalizer.

Both teams had just one look at net over the final 15 minutes of the contest as netminders Noah Pote (Washington, Conn.) for Springfield and David Lucero for Albertus Magnus made the saves. Pote ended the night with four stops for the Pride in his 2024 debut.

Springfield will remain on the road for its next contest as the Pride will visit Vassar College on Sunday afternoon for an out-of-league matchup.

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