Comeback Bid Falls Short For Men's Soccer

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College men's soccer team mounted a dramatic comeback against Nichols College on Wednesday evening but came up short in the end, falling 3-2 to the Bison.

The Blazers (0-2) fell behind 2-0 in the first half when Cole Houghton (Gorham, Maine) scored unassisted in the 21st minute and Axel Areiza-Betancur (Worcester, Mass.) added a goal off an assist from Gergory Giglio (Deer Park, N.Y.) in the 36th minute.

Elms, however, immediately cut into the deficit in the second half. Jonathan Roach (Norwalk, Conn.) scored in the 48th minute after getting in the way of a Nichols clearance attempt deep in the Bison zone. Elms dug all the way out of the hole in the 68th minute when Shaquille Robinson (New York, N.Y.) found Babba Jaden (Clarkston, Ga.) for the equalizer.

In the end, it was Nichols (3-0) that got the final word when Giglio blasted shot from well outside the box and beat EC goalkeeper Julian Brosi (West Newbury, Mass.) inside the far post.

Nichols held a 24-10 advantage in total shots although the Blazers out-shot the Bison 9-3 in the second half. Nichols had a 9-2 lead in corner kicks.

The Blazers will face Skidmore (Sept. 8) and RPI (Sept. 9) at the Skidmore Tournament over the weekend. Nichols, meanwhile, will visit New England College on Sept. 8.