CHESTERTOWN, Md. – An 88th minute penalty kick proved the deciding goal as the Allegheny men's soccer team fell to Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday in the Athey Cup, hosted by Washington College.
 
The Gators had a strong first half for the second day in a row, taking an early lead as two well-timed headers produced a pair of early goals. Rory Simpson (Ithaca, N.Y./Ithaca) found Kristian Snyder (Medina, N.Y./Medina) in the goalie box during the 10th minute to open the scoring. Later, Jorge Olan (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) headed a pass from Matt Massucci (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) from 10 yards out into the lower right corner of the goal in the 22nd minute, giving Allegheny a 2-0 lead.
 
Virginia Wesleyan cut the deficit in half with a goal by Jaron Berry in the 26th minute. The score remained the same until the 52nd minute, when Evan Karstetter headed in a long throw-in by Devin Wallace to score and tie the game at two apiece.
 
Then in the 88th minute, a handball in the box led to the game-deciding penalty kick. Ikechukwu Etonyeaku planted the penalty into the lower ninety, and Virginia Wesleyan beat Allegheny 3-2.
 
Nick Ferreira (Chester, N.Y./Warwick Valley) had a strong showing for Allegheny, saving eight shots in the loss. Danny Reid (Old Lyme, Conn./Lyme-Old Lyme) took a match-high four shots on the day, with Olan trailing him with three.
 
The Gators open up home action with a match against Baldwin Wallace on Thursday, September 5. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Frank B. Fuhrer Field.