OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Allegheny College men's soccer team fell in the 2024 season opener on the road against Stevenson University by a 1-0 final score on Friday evening.

The only goal scored all evening came in the 34th minute. The two sides played an incredibly even contest, but the host Mustangs (1-0) took advantage of a misplay by the Allegheny (0-1) defense inside the six-yard box to steal a heartbreaking win.

The Stevenson backline initiated the play with a long pass down the left side and into the near corner. From the corner, Stevenson's Jack Accorsi fired the ball toward center field with a low, bouncing pass. Attempting to clear the ball out of the back line, an Allegheny defender slid towards the ball. However, at the same time, keeper Cadan Bennett (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland) dove to try to punch the ball out. With Bennett out of position and the ball free rolling along the goal line, Mustang Joey Brauer just had to tap the ball into the net for an uncontested score.

Looking for the equalizer, the Gators put together one of their best scoring opportunities in the second half. The sequence began with a free kick by Brady Napoleon (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) in the 73rd minute. Napoleon's shot was taken from just outside the box, and despite heavy traffic screening the goal, Stevenson keeper Nolen Olson-Warwick made a clutch diving stop. Seconds later, Jacob Kubik-Pauw (Guatemala City, Guatemala/Hanover (N.H.)) put a shot on goal that Olson-Warwick punched away. Napoleon had a second look that was denied on the rebound, and a fourth attempt by Darius Googe (East Hartford, Conn./East Hartford) right in front of the cage was blocked by a defender. 

Inside the Box Score

• Allegheny's offense finished with the lead in several categories despite the loss.
• The Gators took more shots (12-to-10), had more shots on goal (7-to-4), and took more corners (10-to-7).
• Five total yellow cards were handed out in the contest, three of which went to Allegheny.
• Googe and Napoleon led all Gators with three shots on goal.
• Kubik-Pauw and Renen Frank (Bethesda, Md./Walt Whitman) also had shots on goal for the Gators.
• Making his collegiate debut, Bennett, a first-year goalie, made three saves while playing all 90 minutes.

News and Notes

• Friday's match marked the second all-time meeting between Allegheny and Stevenson.
• The Mustangs have won both games against the Gators by a single goal.
• Bennett earned the start in goal in his first-ever game with the Gators.
• First-year midfielder Ben Keefer (Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley) and sophomores Mathis Nolet-Gagne (Quebec City, Quebec, Canada/Northwood School) and Cole Bowser (Forest Hill, Md./John Carroll) also made their college debuts against Stevenson on Friday.

Up Next
Allegheny returns home to the Robertson Athletic Complex to host Alfred State University at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4.