MEN’S SOCCER

The HU men’s soccer team (0-0-1) opened its season under the lights at the Snowbarger Athletic Complex by dropping a 1-0 decision to #RV Olivet Nazarene Thursday night. It was the first meeting between these two squads since 2014.

“The was a tough game coming right out of the gate,” said Coach Russ Lawson. “Olivet Nazarene is a strong team that was in the national tournament last year. They return quite a few of those pieces so this was a great test for us to see where we’re at.

“Although they had the majority of possession and chances, we did a solid job of staying organized and taking what they gave us off the counter to force their keeper into making several quality saves. The guys who came off the bench added to the mix which was also encouraging. Overall, we have some work to be done but our guys are hungry and ready for the challenge.”

After a 0-0 hard fought first half, ONU turned up the pressure to start the second frame by pinning the Foresters in their own half. The pay-off came at the 56:56 mark when Justin Eisenmann and Max Jasper teamed up for what proved the game’s only goal of the evening.

While the lead stood the test of time, the Foresters didn’t make it easy on their hosts. HU pieced together several impressive sequences to fire off six shots in the final 30 minutes that included a blast by Edoardo Moretti off a corner kick that ONU keeper Mike Giannotta punched over the crossbar at the buzzer to preserve his team’s win.

Even though Olivet Nazarene, last year’s Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season and tournament champions, outshot their visitors 15-8, all eight of the Foresters’ shots were on target. ONU finished with six shots on goal and enjoyed a 10-4 corner kick advantage.

In his first collegiate start, sophomore keeper Dan Pellegrine finished with five saves.

Lawson and crew have a two-day rest before traveling to IU Northwest on Saturday for a 12:30 p.m. appointment with the RedHawks.