MEN’S SOCCER

The start of league play ratchets up the level of intensity and nowhere was that more evident than King Stadium in a battle between the Forester men’s soccer team and #RV Grace College (7-2-1, 1-0) Wednesday afternoon where the Lancers eventually laid claim to a 1-0 win.

Both squads were in lock-down mode defensively as neither side reached double-digit shot attempts. The visitors finally got a break less than five minutes into the second half when the Foresters were whistled for a foul in the box setting up what proved Breno Oliveira’s game-winning PK.

However, it wasn’t until the final buzzer that Huntington finally conceded. Their gritty effort nearly paid off as they generated three shots on goal in the final five minutes but the play that wasn’t to be was a challenge that Jake Erlandson blasted back netting in the final 30 seconds that got waved off. Much to the chagrin of the Foresters, a foul negated what would have been the equalizer to force OT.

“Grace is a dangerous team and I thought the boys played in a way that was deserving of a result,” said Coach Lawson. “We pressed to the very end which showed a spirit that will serve us well the rest of the way.

“However, there’s still plenty of work to be done in a league that is so competitive and unforgiving.”

Gabe Greenfield took the loss in goal for Lawson’s crew. He finished with three saves on the afternoon.

The loss snaps a two-game win streak the Foresters (5-4-1, 0-1) enjoyed over GC. Next up for the HU is a road trip to Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday for a game under the lights at 7:00 p.m.