MEADVILLE, Pa.—The Allegheny College men's soccer team fell in a close battle at home to Denison University, 3-2, Saturday (Sept. 23) in their North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) opener.
 
The Gators earned the first scoring chance.  After clearing a corner kick, Tolossa Hassan and Adam Mascio worked the ball in to Denison territory.  Danny Reid had a shot blocked on to its way to the net, followed up by a header from Izaak Miller which was saved.
 
The Gators continued to attack the Denison defense, leading to a goal in the 26^th minute. A Reid corner kick from the far side bounced around the box.  After Dillon Thoma got a foot on it, it bounced back to Miller at the top of the box who buried to give the Gators the lead.
 
Both teams had chances in the final 15 minutes of the half, but neither were able to score as the Gators owned the lead at the half.
 
The Gators increased that lead just two minutes into the second half.  Once again, Thoma and Miller connected on the goal.  This time, Miller lobbed a throw into the box, which Thoma headed in for the Gators second goal.
 
After some back-and-forth play, the Big Red got on the board.  A corner kick from Max Haupt went to David Jaben who moved it along to Jordan Williams for the goal.  Minutes later, Will Rudloph found Luis Zamora on a cross to the box to tie the game at two.
 
In the 83^rd minute, Zamora kicked a low cross into the box, find the foot of Will Rudolph for the third straight Denison goal, giving them the lead.
 
The Gators earned chances in the closing seven minutes but were unable to convert as they fell in conference play 3-2.
 
Miller and Thoma had three points apiece (one goal/one assist) to lead the Gators on offense. 
 
Allegheny  outshot Denison 20-9 but the Big Red held a 10-9 advantage in corner kicks. 
 
The Gators are back at home Tuesday (Sept. 26) to take on Geneva College in nonconference action.  Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m.