GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay men's soccer dropped their contest to Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday night, 2-1, at a packed Aldo Santaga Stadium. GB honored the late Santaga and Dr. Christian Akiwowo on Alumni Night.
The loss dropped Green Bay's record to 3-2-1 overall and 1-1-0 in Horizon play, while PFW stayed undefeated in the conference. Purdue Fort Wayne also improved to 3-2-1 overall and 2-0-0 in the HL.
HOW IT HAPPENED
It didn't take long for PFW to get going offensively when Soshi Fujioka fired a shot wide right in the 3rd minute. Seth Mahlmeister found an opening moments later and notched his second goal of the season on an assist from Christian Leon. Keegan Walker tried to answer in the 11th minute, but a save was made by Mastodon goalkeeper Max Collingwood. Chris Album, just two minutes later, scored on a penalty goal, tying the game at one apiece. Josh Johansen ripped a shot home several minutes later, but Collingwood tallied another save.
Offensively, the game slowed down, but four yellow cards were handed out in a seven-minute span, with three on Green Bay. There were a combined 15 fouls in the opening 45 minutes, including eight on PFW and seven on the Phoenix. The Mastodons tried to notch another goal late in the frame, racking up four shots (two on goal) but were unable to score, sending the teams into the halftime break still tied 1-1.
Johansen opened the second half with a shot on goal in the 51st minute, but Collingwood again made a great save, diving full extension to keep the contest knotted 1-1. Purdue Fort Wayne tallied just three shots in the first 34 minutes of the half, but Abe Arellano scored on a sensational no-look, behind-the-back shot that thrust PFW into a late lead, taking a 2-1 advantage in the 80th minute. Green Bay went tempo on offense for the remaining 10:20 and racked up four shots, but only one was on goal.Â
Arellano's late score was the difference in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss for the Phoenix. GB suffered their first defeat since the season opener on August 24; Green Bay had been unbeaten in their previous four contests.
GAME NOTES
- Each squad had 12 shots, but PFW edged out GB 7-6 in shots on goal.
- Tobias Jahn recorded five saves for the Phoenix.
- Green Bay recorded five corner kicks to Purdue Fort Wayne's three.
- Johansen paced the Phoenix with three shots.
COMING UP
The Phoenix will turn their attention to Bradley, who they visit on Tuesday to begin a two-game road trip. Following that, GB will battle Cleveland State next Saturday in another Horizon League clash.
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