OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Albright Lions men's soccer team scored a goal in each half in their MAC Commonwealth opener against Stevenson on Friday night, and would hold on for the 2-0 road win.
The win over Stevenson improves the Lions record to 2-8-1 overall, and 1-0 in conference play. This was Albright's first MAC Commonwealth win since they defeated Lycoming 1-0 on October 11, 2014. Meanwhile, the Mustangs drop to 1-6-2 on the season and 0-1 in conference play.
Albright was able to weather some early chances from the Mustangs, including one in the 18
th minute where sophomore goalkeeper
Billy Mullen made a save from a close shot in the box. Senior
Nathan Hughes would get the Lions on the board in the 23
rd minute when he poked the ball past the Mustangs goalkeeper after receiving a through ball from
Anthony Parlato. The teams traded some chances to close out the half, but the Lions were able to take their 1-0 lead into the half despite being outshot 9-6.
The Lions defense continued to frustrate the Mustangs after a couple of more Stevenson scoring chances were sniffed out in the second half. Mullen would make a key save in the 73
rd minute after punching out a corner kick ball after it found the head of a Stevenson attacker in the box. Albright then cashed in on a corner kick of their own eight minutes later when Parlato scored his fifth goal of the season on a header. Sophomore
Antonios Araviakis picked up the assist after sending the corner kick to the back post where Parlato was positioned. The insurance goal would be the boost the Lions would need to hold on for the win.
Stevenson held a 16-11 shot advantage for the game with both teams tallying four shots on net. The Mustangs also held sizable 15-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Mullen earned his second shutout win of the season after making two saves in the full 90 minutes of play. Stevenson goalkeeper Jake Brown suffered the loss after tallying two saves and allowing two goals in the entire 90 minutes.
Albright will return to action on Tuesday, October 2
nd when they will host nationally ranked Messiah for a 7 p.m. contest.