Box Score • Box Score

The men's soccer team lost a heart-breaker today 2-1 in their home opener against Holy Cross at Parsons Field. Despite outshooting their opponent 21-7, the Huskies were unable to capitalize on nine shots on goal and fell to the 1-3-0 Crusaders.

The first half featured a tight game with each team having their chances. In the 32nd minute, freshman Don Anding beat two defenders but shot a laser just over the crossbar to keep the game scoreless. Just one minute later, junior forward Kyle Miller gave Holy Cross the lead after a ball played into the box bounced up in the air and freshman goalkeeper Michael Gallagher was caught out of position. The Huskies held their breath three minutes later when forward Nick Lueders stole the ball from the Holy Cross defense but was blocked on the shot by goalkeeper Timothy Booth.

Northeastern came out firing in the second half as they ripped 14 shots at the Holy Cross defense. In the 58th minute, Nick Lueders once again had an opportunity and flicked the ball into the open net for his first on the season while Booth tried to stop a play out wide. With the game temporarily tied, the celebration was short lived as the Crusaders streaked down the field and junior Jon Werth put one past Gallagher just 54 seconds later. Pressure offense continued from the Huskies as they put five shots on goal in the second half. As a ball was played out of the Northeastern box in the 49th minute, Anding streaked down the field and beat one defender before having another shot blocked by Booth.

The game came to a close with the Huskies knowing they had missed opportunities.

"We definitely attacked better in the second half," said Huskies head coach Brian Ainscough. "If we're going to move forward we need to connect on those chances."

There were positives in the loss as Northeastern saw a talented group of players create opportunities on the offensive side of the ball.

"Santiago [Bedoya] played a great game, he was everywhere," said Ainscough. "Don Anding also got himself in some good situations but now he needs to finish."

Anding and Bedoya each had three shots in the contest. Nick Lueders led the Huskies with six shots, four of which were on goal.

The loss brings the Huskies to 1-3-0 (0-0-0 CAA) on the season. They will battle Massachusetts this Saturday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at Parsons Field.