NORTON, Mass. – The Union College men's soccer team competed with one of the top teams in Division III on a rainy Sunday afternoon, but #7 Wheaton College scored once in each half to deal the Garnet Chargers a 2-0 defeat.
Union (4-2-0) had plenty of good signs from the matchup, playing to almost a 50-50 possession split with the nationally ranked Lyons and holding a 5-4 edge in corners while both teams put six shots on target. First-year
Michael Karcher made four saves for the visitors to keep the match close.
The Garnet Chargers forced two saves by keeper Patrick Butler over the first 17 minutes, but it was Wheaton (3-0-2) who scored first on an Owen Kane tally in the 22nd minute. Union kept Wheaton without a shot for the remainder of the half, with senior
Declan Crowley adding another on-target attempt for the visitors late in the frame.
Union put three more shots on goal in the second half, but could not find the back of the net. The visitors were helped by two Wheaton shots that hit off the woodwork to stay within range, but the Lyons added an insurance tally in the 83rd minute to finish off the win.
Wheaton ended the afternoon with an 11-8 advantage in shots. Sophomores
Kofi Sarfoh and
Shane Crowley led the visitors with two shots apiece.
Union will continue non-conference play on Wednesday with a 7 p.m. match at King's (Pa.) College.
