HAMBURG, N.Y. – Despite a late push, the Hilbert men's soccer team fell 2-1 to Thiel College this afternoon on Hawk Field. After the Hawks faced a 2-0 deficit in the second half, Jason Vullo converted a penalty kick to cut the lead in half, but the Hawks were unable to replicate last game's comeback as the team suffered its first defeat of the season.

Following a scoreless opening half, Thiel broke through in the 65th minute when Ryan Fisher converted a penalty kick to give the visitors the 1-0 advantage. The Tomcats doubled their lead just over 10 minutes later, as Andy Mangold buried a shot off an assist from Mitchell Strauss to make it 2-0.

However, Hilbert responded quickly, cutting the deficit in half in the 83rd minute. Cam Murdie did well to find Jason Vullo in the box, who drew a foul to earn Hilbert a penalty kick of their own. Vullo calmly finished from the penalty spot to cut the lead in half with a little over seven minutes to play. Hilbert pressed forward in the closing minutes, but Thiel's defense denied the Hawks another dramatic late game comeback, as the Tomcats took this one, 2-1.

The Tomcats outshot the Hawks 17-9, including a 7-4 edge in shots on goal. Daniel Downes made five saves to keep the Hawks within reach. Vullo paced the offense with three shots, while Stephen Winans and Chris Smith each recorded a shot on goal in the contest.

UP NEXT:
Hilbert remains in Hamburg for its next non-conference matchup, as Keuka College comes to Hawk Field on Wednesday, September 17^th for a 4 pm kickoff.