SELINSGROVE, PA (October 22, 2022) – The Susquehanna University men's soccer team took to home turf on Saturday afternoon to host the University of Scranton Royals for a Landmark Conference matchup, also celebrating Senior Day prior to the match. In what would be a close-fought and scrappy affair, the River Hawks would come up just short, on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline.
The physical play was in full swing from the opening whistle, with the first yellow card of the match being brandished only 20 seconds in, the first of what would be four total. Scranton would have the majority of possession in the match, particularly in the first half, translating to six shots to just three for SU in the first frame. After the first yellow card went Susquehanna's way, Scranton would get one to match in the 11th minute, as the Royals pressed for an opening goal and the teams battled hard. That goal would come in the 29th minute, as Scranton's third shot on goal would get past goalkeeper Hunter McDonald, who turned in a strong five-save performance in the match to keep Susquehanna within striking distance. Another yellow went to Susquehanna late in the half and the teams would enter halftime with the score still 1-0 in Scranton's favor.
The second half saw Susquehanna improve their possession and offensive output, but it would be Scranton who scored the next goal, doubling their lead in the 58th minute on a stunning strike from outside the box. McDonald continued to work hard in net, making two more saves in the second half after three in the first, while the River Hawks saw some close chances force two saves from the Scranton goalkeeper and see a Walter Wyatt shot from a free kick just barely miss burying itself in the net, careening off the crossbar.
Sophomore Max Paczewski would be the SU player to break through and find the goal for Susquehanna, netting late in the second half on a nice left-footed finish into the top left corner of the net after receiving a pass from TJ Grube. With just three minutes left, the River Hawks pushed for an equalizer, drawing a late foul that gave Scranton their second yellow card of the match, but couldn't produce a chance at the very end and seeing the time expire with Scranton holding on to the one goal lead.
Susquehanna will have one more home match this season, welcoming Marywood University on Wednesday night for their final non-conference match on the schedule, kicking off at 7 pm. They'll then wrap up the 2022 campaign on the road, traveling to Drew University on Saturday the 29th for a 1 pm kickoff.
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--RIVER HAWKS--
