NHTI, CSJ fall in first round of men’s soccer playoffs

ASHVILLE, N.C. – The NHTI Men's soccer team fell to Penn State Beaver, 5-1 Wednesday in the first round of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association's National Tournament hosted by Warren Willson College. The College of Saint Joseph's also fell in their opening game, dropping a 2-0 decision to SUNY Delhi. 

Penn State Beaver junior Marcus Smith (Pittsburgh, PA) netted a pair of goals and added an assist in the win. NHTI's Kyle Haas scored the lone goals for the Lynx.

The Beavers scored the first three goals in a ten minute span in the first half to jump out to an early lead that the Lynx could not overcome. Haas' goal brought the score to 3-1 before giving up a fourth first-half goal. Penn State added a fifth goal in the second half to advance to the second round of the national tournament.

The Lynx (9-5-2) will take on fellow YSCC opponent, the College of St. Joseph's (Vt.) for the fourth time this season in a consolation game Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

SUNY Delhi 2, College of St. Joe's 0

Number nine seed SUNY Dehli defeated the Fighting Saints by scoring one goal in the first half and another in the second to advance to the second round against top-seeded Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse on Thursday morning.

St. Joe's out-shot the Broncos for the game 11-10, and the Fighting Saints Julio Garcia turned away seven shots on the afternoon. SUNY received goals from Trevor Holdridge and James Gardiner.