EAST STROUDSBURG – Despite tying the contest in the second half, the East Stroudsburg University men's soccer team could not prevent a game-winning goal in the 82nd minute from Lock Haven, falling to the Bald Eagles, 3-2, on Wednesday evening inside Eiler-Martin Stadium.
With the loss, the Warriors (6-2-5, 2-2-5 PSAC East) fall for just the second time this season. The Bald Eagles (5-6-3, 2-4-2 PSAC East) record their third victory over its past four games in the win.
ESU's
Ignasi Cucurella Tuset and
Hunter Paone accounted for both goals, Colby Ramond added an assist on the opening goal, while Cucurella Tuset made a beautiful pass to Paone for the Warriors' second goal of the game. Tom Pombor scored twice for LHU, while Jimmy Pombor also found the back of the net.
Notables
- ESU's Ignasi Cucurella Tuset rocketed in his seventh goal of the season to lift ESU to a 1-0 advantage in the first half. Colby Raymond added an assist on the play to help ESU to an early lead. Cucurella Tuset now leads the Warriors with 18 points, tied for the team-lead with Raymond (7) and the assist lead with Nathan Bradway (4). The native of Spain is tied for fifth in the conference in goals per game and ranks sixth in the PSAC in points per game (1.38).
- For LHU, Tom Pombor recorded LHU's first (42nd minute) and third goal (82nd minute), evening the contest at 1-1 and lifting the Bald Eagles to a 3-2 lead late in the second half.
- Pombor's brother, Jimmy Pombor, followed a few minutes later in the 45th minute, with just 24 seconds remaining in the first half to lift the Bald Eagles to its first lead.
- The Warriors' Hunter Paone notched his first goal of the season next, with Cucurella Tuset supplying a beautiful pass after keeping possession in bounds to even the match. The goal for Paone is his first of the season and the second of his career.
- ESU led 27-14 in shots, 10-8 on shots on goals and 5-4 on corners. The officials called a total of 29 fouls and six yellow cards. Four Warriors were assessed a yellow card.
- In goal, sophomore Helgi Hermannsson (2-2-2) made five saves in the loss. His counterpart, LHU's Brady Freiwald (4-6-3) totaled eight saves.
- The loss for ESU now puts the Warriors (11 pts.) six points behind Millersville (17 pts.) for the third and final spot in the PSAC East for the upcoming PSAC Tournament. ESU looks to get within three points of the Marauders on Saturday at Pucillo Field.
How It Happened
- 42' | Tom Pombor knotted the matchup during the 42nd minute, rocketing in a goal off a rebound. Austin Kravetz fired a shot in the box that was saved by Helgi Hermannsson, as Pombor cleaned up the shot into the back of the net. He gave LHU the lead in the 82nd minute with his sixth goal of the season.
- 45' | A few minutes later with just 24 seconds until halftime, a speedy Jimmy Pombor was able to take possession away from the Warriors near midfield and sped towards the offensive zone. With Hermannsson approaching to make a quick stop, Pombor flicked a shot above the the native of Iceland and into the net.
- 82' | In the waning minutes of the intense contest, Tom Pombor was able to gain possession in the ESU defensive zone, split a couple of defenders and rocketed a shot past Hermannsson.
Coming Up
- ESU heads to Millersville on Saturday in an important PSAC East matchup with the Marauders. Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m.
- The Warriors then jump out of the conference for a matchup with Saint Thomas Aquinas on Tues., Oct. 24 in the non-conference finale.
- ESU will then host Senior Night on Fri., Oct. 28 against Shippensburg at 7:00 p.m.
- The Warriors close the regular season at West Chester on Nov. 3.
