For the second consecutive game, the Shippensburg University men’s soccer team won in a dominant showing, handily taking down Nyack College on Wednesday in Nyack’s backyard, 5–1.
The Raiders got off to a quick start, scoring three goals in the first half and two in the first 17 minutes. Against Shepherd University in its previous matchup, SU scored five in the first half and four within 18 minutes.
The offensive onslaught is a change of pace for the Raiders. They have now scored as many goals in their first three games as they did in their first six last season.
Forward Cole Kropnick continued his fast-paced start to the season, grabbing his fourth goal in three games in the 17th minute. Midfielder Patrick Luebben scored his second of the season in the 68th minute, also contributing two assists on goals by Julian Horstmann and Colin Marks.
Midfielder Patrick Luebben put together a great game in Wednesday’s big 5-1 win over Nyack College. He played a role in three of the team’s goals, assisting on two and scoring his second goal of the season.
Horstmann claimed his first collegiate goal in the sixth minute from a Luebben corner kick. Marks made it 3–1 for the Raiders with his 26th-minute goal and put the game away. Justin Blumberg rounded off the scoring for SU with his second collegiate goal in his senior season to make it 5–1.
The Raiders have now outscored their opponents 13–4 so far this season. Kropnick has been one of the driving forces on offense and he is on pace to score as many goals as last season. Luebben continues to be a strong presence in the midfield, setting up many scoring chances and providing pinpoint passes on forward runs.
The unsung heroes so far this season, however, are on defense. The defense has only allowed four goals in three games — three of which came in the opening loss against Chestnut Hill.
Goalkeeper Garret Watson has been a wall in net, owning a goals-against-average mark of 1.68 to go with seven total saves. Watson was injured in the second game against Shepherd, but returned against Nyack.
After another big win, the Raiders will look to continue this impressive offensive momentum when they take on Salem University in a non-conference matchup at David See Field today at 4 p.m.
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