Box Score Sept. 6, 2014 Box Score
READING, PA - The Johns Hopkins men's soccer team scored a goal in each half to defeat host Alvernia, 2-1, and hand the Crusaders their first loss of the season. The Blue Jays improve to 2-0-1 while the Crusaders fall to 2-1-0 on the season.
Senior Kotaro Mitsuhashi gave the Blue Jays the early lead in the 21st minute. Junior Josh Hong played the ball to Mitsuhashi, who buried it for his team-leading third goal of the season. His goal was the first the Crusaders had given up this season, ending a shutout streak that dated back to last season and had surpassed 264 minutes. The lead remained one for nearly 35 minutes until junior Nigel Joseph gave Hopkins what turned out to be the game-winner in the 56th minute. Senior co-captain Rob Heuler crossed the ball into Joseph, who settled it and then ripped a shot upper 90 to make it a 2-0 game.
The Crusaders ended the Blue Jays' bid for a shutout in the 86th minute. Following a Hopkins' foul near the box, Alex Martyn ripped a free kick that deflected into the goal to cut the lead in half. That would do it for the scoring however as Hopkins picked up its second win in as many games.
Hopkins outshot Alvernia, 10-8, while the Crusaders had more corners (3-1) than the Jays. Sophomore Matt Paris finished with six saves in the win, while Zach Rider made four saves in the loss.
Hopkins returns to action on Sunday, September 7 as the Blue Jays make the short trip down the road to Albright for the second game of the Alvernia Invitational. Game time from Shirk Stadium is slated for 12:00 pm.
