HAMBURG, NY – Hilbert Men's soccer opened its' season this afternoon at home against the Highlanders from Houghton. After a scoreless first half, the Highlanders struck twice in a minute to take control of the game. A late insurance goal would wrap up the 3-0 win for Houghton to spoil Hilbert's home opener.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

The first 45 ended goalless, but it was not for a lack of chances and action. Jason Vullo and Cam Murdie each had good looks at goal inside the first ten minutes, but the Houghton keeper did well to keep the Hawks off the board.
The next ten minutes belonged to the Highlanders, but Hilbert keeper Daniel Downes stood tall in his collegiate debut with three stops to keep the game knotted heading into the break.

The teams traded shots on net to start the second half, with both goalies up to the test once again. The breakthrough would come soon after, as Houghton got the game's first goal on a well-worked passing play that ended in a tap-in on the back post at the 60 minute mark.

It didn't take long for the visitors to double their lead as a through ball led to a break and a second goal to make it a 2-0 game less than a minute after the opening goal.

A back-and-forth final 20 minutes led to a third Houghton goal with under two minutes to go in the contest to make it 3-0, which is how the game would end.

GAME NOTES

• Daniel Downes, Jacob Korte, Luciano Gallo, and Gavin Cline each started the game in their Hilbert debuts. David Spadone also made his first appearance for the Hawks off the bench.
• Downes made four stops in his first collegiate action.
• Jack Schroth, Jason Vullo, and Cam Murdie each recorded shots on goal.

 
UP NEXT
The Hawks stay at home for another nonconference game their next time out. The Saxons from Alfred University come to town on Wednesday, September 4^th for a 4 PM kickoff on Hawk Field.