Men's Soccer Battles to Narrow Defeat against Webster

Elsah, ILL. -- Principia Men's Soccer hosted Webster University on a cold rainy Tuesday night.  The conditions were less than ideal, but the outcome of the match had big implications for both teams.  With a loss, Webster would most likely be out of contention for the conference tournament.  With a win, Principia would take a step towards hosting the conference tournament. 

Principia got out to a slow start and Webster capitalized.  In the 26^th minute, the Gorloks broke past Principia's back line and took a shot from close range on the corner of the six-yard box.  Nick Klusmeyer made the initial save, but the rebound fell to Webster's Aamahn Murvin who passed it into the open goal (Principia 0 – 1 Webster). 

A few minutes after the first goal, Webster earned a penalty kick. Hunter Olaso stepped up to take the kick and hit the ball cleanly to the bottom left corner, but Nick Klusmeyer was up to the task, making an incredible full stretch save to hold the Gorloks to one goal in the first half.  Despite being down one goal in the first half, Principia were not even close to being out of the contest.  The Panthers outshot the Gorloks 10 to 8 in the first half, but unfortunately were not able to get the ball over the line.

The second half was a test of character for both teams as the rain came down and temperatures dropped.  Principia came out strong, but Webster capitalized on an opportunistic chance six minutes into the second half, and Murvin scored again for the Gorloks (Principia 0 – 2 Webster).

It didn't take long for Principia to respond.  In the 61^st minute, Patrick Sherman collected the ball in the Gorlok's box, beating two Webster defenders and neatly placing the ball over the goalkeeper with a great display of skill (Principia 1 – 2 Webster) (Sherman's third goal of the season).

The Principia Men were on the front foot for the rest of the match and Webster were hardly able to get the ball out of their half for the last 25 minutes.  However, Webster's defensive block was difficult to penetrate, and Principia was unable to capitalize on a few great chances.  In the last ten minutes a corner kick fell in the six yard box and Principia came within inches of the equalizing goal, but a Webster defender cleared the ball off of the line and eliminated the threat.  The match ended 2-1 in favor of the Gorloks.

Principia faces Westminster at home in their final match of the regular season this Saturday at 3PM.