Springfield, Mass. – September 7, 2024 – Despite a late push to secure a draw, the Springfield College men's soccer team was clipped by Gordon College, 2-1, in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon on Brock-Affleck Field.

Gordon picked up its first win of the season and is now 1-3-0, while Springfield moved to 0-2-1 this fall.

Springfield's Matthew Mela (Natick, Mass.) was credited with his first goal of the campaign and Tommy Quiterio (Ludlow, Mass.) earned his first collegiate point with the helper on the Pride's lone goal, while Moises Montano produced both tallies for the visiting Fighting Scots – the first two of his young collegiate career. 

As a team, despite the result, Springfield outshot Gordon by a 14-11 margin in addition to holding a 6-4 edge in corner kicks. 

Gordon struck for the game's first goal just 13 minutes into the match when Montano headed the ball into the back of the net off a free kick from Benny Simpson from about 40 yards out. Springfield didn't get a ton of looks in the first half, but made the one good one matter when Mela found the equalizer with less than three minutes to play before the break. Mela broke through the Gordon back line after receiving the ball from Quinterio inside the box.

Springfield had many more chances in the second half and forced keeper Gunnar Lucuk to come off his line to make the saves, but after opportunities by Aidan Hallinan (New Windsor, N.Y.) and Connor Policarpio (Bristol, Conn.) were thwarted, Montano gave Gordon the lead for good in the 70th minute.

The Pride nearly knotted the game before the buzzer sounded as Michael Ciano (Belmont, Mass.) peppered Lucuk twice, Quiterio knocked the post and Brandon Trent (Commack, N.Y.) headed a shot, but it was Gordon, which came away with the non-conference win.

Springfield will travel to Curry College on Tuesday, September 10 for a non-conference tilt beginning at 7:00 pm.

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