Box Score Greencastle, Ind. -- Principia men's soccer fell short against DePauw University on Saturday afternoon in Greencastle, Indiana. Coming into the contest, DePauw was ranked 21st in the nation and 3
rd in the Great Lakes region. Despite all the hoopla surrounding the matchup, a resilient Panther side dug their trenches deep enough to withstand the Tigers early barrage.
Gavin Thomas earned his keep early thwarting away several shots from inside the twelve to keep Principia in the match in the first half. Thomas' performance in the first half was a remarkable feat in shot stopping. The deadlock was however broken in the 36th minute when the Tigers latched on to a rebound rolling along the face of the Panther goal and slammed it into the empty net.
The second half was much different as the Tigers took the air out of the Panthers with their persistence and intent to score. The Panther defense cracked early in the second half conceding two quick goals in the 56th and 58th minute to seal the deal. The Panthers however kept fighting till the end and were unfortunate not to score a consolation goal when
Matt Jones picked up a ball on the right flank and raced past a couple of defenders before cutting inside at the top of the eighteen, where he laid a pass to an onrushing
Nate Waters. Waters' one time strike beat the keeper but could not beat the post as it bounced to the outside.
All in all this was still a courageous performance from the Panthers despite the final score. Other notables included
Max Bruch who infused the game with his energetic runs on the left flank. The Panthers now come back home and will host Hanover College in Elsah next Saturday @ 4pm.
