By Cory Nidoh
Opinion Editor
The East Stroudsburg Warriors’ men’s soccer team got back to their winning ways with a non-conference win over Georgian Court 2-1 Monday night at Eiler-Martin Stadium after their modest two-game winning streak was snapped with a 1-0 loss to the Chestnut Hill Griffins last Wednesday in their second non-conference game.
The win avenged a 3-0 loss to Georgian Court last year in the season opener.
Sophomore forward Casey Albino scored in the 41st minute on an assist from freshman forward Christian Bukowski to take a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, junior midfielder Casey Choffy scored on a header on a free kick that was taken by midfielder Jeff Wolf in the 61st minute.
Choffy’s goal marked the second one in the last three games, including one against West Chester last week.
In the game against Chestnut Hill, the Warriors lost with six minutes left in regulation.
Griffins’ captain junior midfielder Nicholas Jaffe scored in the 84th minute on a free kick sending the visitors home with the victory.
Despite a 14-12 shot advantage, ESU was unable to find the net marking only the second time they’ve been shutout in a game this season.
Both teams came into the game with winning streaks on the line as the Warriors won back-to-back games with a pair of 2-1 wins over West Chester and rival Lock Haven, while the Griffins came in with a three-game winning streak, including two wins over ranked opponents.
The two-game winning streak marked just the first such streak in two years as the Warriors failed to string any wins together in a 2-13-2 season a year ago where they had a five-game losing streak, the longest since 1982.
With the split against the two non-conference foes, the Warriors are now 4-6-1 on the season.
ESU’s win total this season marks the first time the team has had four wins in the last three years. The last time they won more than four games was during the 2011 season.
They resume play against PSAC opponents with a road trip to Millersville Tuesday, October 14. ESU is 43-16-3 all-time against the Marauders.
Email Cory at:
cnidoh@live.esu.edu