Men's Soccer Falls in CC Opener

Men's Soccer Falls in CC Opener

WESTMINSTER, Md. – Aiden Cooper's wonder strike from long range got the Ursinus College men's soccer team off to a dream start in its Centennial Conference opener at McDaniel, but the hosts turned the tables with an equalizer late in the first half and added two more in the second to separate for a 3-1 decision.

Cooper's goal – his second of the season – was a thing of beauty. A pass from Alexis Ayala was deflected backwards and into the path of the sophomore, who sent a one-timer careening into the lower left side of the net and left the goalkeeper helpless as the Bears (3-3, 0-1) jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 7:15 into the contest.

McDaniel (8-0, 1-0) rang the post just a minute later, but the visitors continued to hold on to the upper hand until the 36th minute, when Nick Bowman cleaned up a loose ball in the box with a right-footed equalizer.

The Green Terror took the lead for good in the 57th minute on a header by Pat Palin following a corner kick. Jacob Wells tacked on a third for insurance in the 82nd.

McDaniel outshot the Bears, 18-7, and held a 12-4 edge in corners. Nick Starr assisted on all three Green Terror goals.

Tyler Lewin had two saves for Ursinus.

The Bears take a break from conference play with a home game against DeSales on Tuesday night.