Box Score (Sept. 12)- The Nichols College men's soccer team dropped their TCCC opener 0-3 against Gordon College Saturday afternoon on the Nichols College campus at Vendetti Field. Matt Horth led the way for the Gordon College Fighting Scots putting three of his four shots on goal and scoring the game-winning goal. Nichols' goalkeeper Brendan Hamilton (North Attleboro, Mass.) compiled five saves on the day to keep the game from getting out of reach for the Bison.
The first half saw many opportunities for each team as Gordon fired off 10 shots while Nichols had five shots and many more scoring chances. 14:54 into the half the Fighting Scots broke open the score with a lob pass from the 35 yard line to the top of the box by John Warren that found the head of Matt Horth, who then found the back of the net as he popped it over the Nichols goalkeeper.
Nichols looked to knot the game up with several free kicks inside the 30 yard line including a Mark Capitanio (Mansfield, Mass.) free kick that soared just high of the crossbar.
Late in the half Nichols found themselves with a great chance inside the box, but Gordon came up with the ball and ended up on a two on one counter-attack. Eric Wurnst dribbled the ball down the far side of the field finding Archie Reed with a centering pass who ended up with a one on one with the goalkeeper. Reed took his time drawing the goalie out and then slipped it into the bottom left corner of the goal to put Gordon up 2-0 with three seconds left in the half.
The second half started with an excellent scoring opportunity for Nichols as Michael Schell (South Windsor, Mass.) ripped a shot from the top of the box that went sailing over the goal.
Gordon would take control from there and added another goal in the 68th minute when Jeff Spruance received a leading pass from Joel Spruance at the corner of the box who put it past the goalkeeper along the ground.
Nichols received two yellow card cautions from the referee in the first half as Gordon received one caution in the second half. Nichols had six corners to Gordon's three, while Gordon had a total of 13 shots to Nichols' 12.
With the loss Nichols drops to 2-1 and 0-1 in conference play. Gordon gets their first win of the season putting their record at 1-3 and 1-0 in the conference. Hamilton picks up the loss as his record drops to 2-1, while Zach Frey improves to 1-3.
Nichols plays Becker next at home on Tuesday September 15 at 4:00 PM. Gordon's next game is at Lesley College Monday September 14 at 8:00 PM.
Box Score
