MEN’S SOCCER

The Maple Leafs (6-8, 2-4) of Goshen College put a damper on Saturday’s Senior Day at King Stadium by handing the HU men’s soccer team its first league loss, a 3-2 decision. The loss also snaps a four-game win streak as the Foresters drop to 10-3-2 overall, 4-1-1 in CL action.

The visitors stung Lawson and crew right away with their first goal less than two minutes in. The Foresters were quick to recover as the equalizer came at the 9:41 mark when Jake Erlandson got his head on Caleb Sexton’s corner kick. The goal is Erlandson’s ninth of the year and the seventh straight contest he’s scored in.

Unfortunately, it was a short-lived stalemate. Lucas Bontreger snuck in behind the defense to bang in another goal for the Maple Leafs in the 18th minute. It was a lead that stuck as Huntington was on the chase the rest of the afternoon. Goshen added to their lead 15 minutes into the second half to turn what was a cushion into the game-winner because HU wasn’t about to roll over.

Huntington never relented their pressure and with just over five minutes remaining, Noah Stanford took advantage of a scramble in the box to find back netting and pull his team within a goal of GC to keep things interesting. The clock proved the spoiler with time expiring before the Foresters could finish any sort of fast and furious comeback.

Goshen managed just six shots on the day but their conversion rate was impressive as they made good on half of them. Three goals are the most goals given up by the Foresters this season.

“I was not pleased with our defense today,” said Coach Lawson. “We allowed too many 1v1 situations and Goshen made us pay. This is not the defensive effort we’re accustomed to.

“I was, however, pleased with our spirt and possession. We never gave up.”

HU finished with 22 shots, 14 of which were on target. Lawson and company will look to regroup by Wednesday when they host Mount Vernon at 4:00 p.m.