Despite their best efforts in search of a late goal, the St. Lawrence University men's soccer team fell 2-0 to Washington College (Md.) in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, N.J. on Saturday. 

"We started the game well tonight, however, we didn't get as much of the ball as we would've liked," said head coach Mike Toshack "In the second half, we made a few adjustments to help us build, and again we created some chances. The second goal for Washington College was unfortunate for us with the ricochet, which at the point came against the run of the play. But the seniors led the way until the end, as everyone in the team played until the final second to claw their way back into the game. I'm so proud of all of them and their Liberty League Championship, and now we will look to 2022."

It looked as if Washington College struck first just under seven minutes into the contest. Washington College's Joe Mutchschler headed a ball off an indirect kick into the back of the net. The team celebrated, but found out shortly after that they instead were flagged for an offsides negating the goal.

Marvin Sibanda was afforded a great opportunity 19:23 into the first half off a Shoremen penalty in the St. Lawrence offensive zone. Sibanda took the free kick from outside the box and put a tricky shot on the frame. The junior's shot started out hot, but knuckled down making it a tough play on the goalkeeper. Anthony Pinto was up to the task in net finding the ball and turning away the effort.

The Scarlet and Brown threatened again later in the half as Max Mogul made a run down the side and booted a ball off a Washington College defender deep in the Saints' offensive zone giving the Scarlet and Brown a corner kick. The resulting corner kick was driven by Antonio Rogliano, and the ball found the head of Andrew Terhune, who was up in the box from the backline. The senior's header was stopped in a crowd of bodies to keep the game scoreless.

With under four minutes left in the first half, the Shoremen would open up the scoring off a corner kick. James Strine was given a corner kick and he launched a kick into the box towards Ben Woelfinger, who was patrolling the crease. The junior was seemingly bumped in the box by a Shoremen forward as he went up for the ball, but it was not called. As a result the ball sailed over the fingers of Woelfinger, off the far post, and in to put Washington College up 1-0.

The Shoremen ended up adding a second goal in the 55th^-minute to double the lead. Alex Coster took control near the midfield line for Washington College and made a run down the heart of the pitch. Coster fed a pass down towards the box that was deflected by a Saints defender. Unfortunately for the Scarlet and Brown, the ball fell onto the foot of Greg Adams, who put the ball past the outstretched arms of Woelfinger to make it a 2-0 game.

Raphael Zoccolaro nearly cut into the lead with just under ten minutes to go in the game. Rogliano made a nice through-pass from his midfield position to Zoccolaro down the left side of the field. The senior had a step on the defender and got a nice left-footed shot onto the frame. However, Zoccolaro was turned aside to keep the game at 2-0.

Woelfinger made six saves for St. Lawrence in the effort, while Pinto made six saves of his own in the win.

The Shoremen held a narrow 16-13 edge in shots and an 8-6 advantage in shots on goal in the contest.

The Saints closed the season 12-7-1, while the Shoremen improved to 14-4-1 and will take on Montclair St. tomorrow in the second round.