CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Emmanuel men's soccer struck first but couldn't hold on, falling 2-1 to MIT on Tuesday evening at Roberts Field, in non-conference play on Opening Day for both squads.
The Saints came out sharp, taking the lead just 5:09 into the match when junior Benjamin Anderson buried a diving header off a set piece, assisted by fellow junior Luis Pimentel. It was Anderson's first goal of the season and gave Emmanuel an early 1-0 cushion.
MIT answered 10 minutes later, as Woods Windham redirected home a rebound off a Saints save in the 16th minute, assisted by Gianluca Balestrieri, to knot the score at 1-1.
The two sides traded chances throughout the second half. First-year Saints keeper David Derk kept Emmanuel in the match at 1-1, making a pair of stops through the second half. Pimentel also tested MIT netminder Paolo Mangiafico in the closing stretch, but was unable to break through to find the lead.
MIT ultimately found the winner in the 80th minute when Shikhar Motupally slid a cross through the box for Windham, who buried his second goal of the game to put the Engineers in front 2-1.
Derk and Mangiafico both made four saves for the Saints and Engineers, respectively. Windham's two-goal match is the first multi-goal game in his collegiate career.
The Saints are off to a 0-1-0 start and look to score their first win of the year on Friday, Sept. 4, hosting Rhode Island College in Emmanuel's home opener at Clemente Field at 7:00 p.m.
