Sept. 3, 2011

Box Score

With high hopes entering 2011, the Lehman soccer team didn't achieve the result it wanted in its season opener, dropping a 5-1 decision to SUNY Maritime on Saturday afternoon.

Looking to set an early tone, Lightning newcomers Wilson Ndzi and Antonio Corrado each put shots on net within the first seven minutes of play but could not tally a goal. Instead, Maritime's David Kittinger broke the ice at the 10:29 mark, putting one past Lightning keeper Matthew Rodney off a deflection on a free kick.

Maritime struck for its second goal when Ryan Nugent scored off a rebound at 21:57 and then took a commanding 3-0 lead 10 minutes later on a goal by Jason Tursi.

Lehman's first goal of the season came on a header from freshman Jonathan Moallem off a throw in by Thaddeus Ikwuka at 32:46 of the first half. The visiting Lightning had two more chances to creep closer before the half but Ndzi and Wilfredo Arbieto-Lopez were both turned away by the Privateers' Michael Vanadia.

The score would remain 3-1 until a gorgeous corner kick by Tursi found the foot of David Hraska Jr., who buried the ball into the net at 56:31. Less than seven minutes later Maritime ended the day's scoring when Ryan Nugent put one in off a cross from Hraska Jr. for the final 5-1 margin.

Lehman will use the next several days to regroup before its season opener against Mount Saint Vincent at 7 p.m. on Thursday.