THE BASICS 

Score: Emerson 2, Springfield 0

Records: Emerson Lions (3-0-3, 1-0 NEWMAC) ; Springfield Pride (1-3-2, 0-1 NEWMAC)

Location: Boston, Mass. (Rotch Field)

Date: September 17, 2022

The Lead: Two second half goals from sophomore Gregory Kopanezos and freshman Jonah Delbanco pushed the Emerson men's soccer team to their first NEWMAC win of 2022 over Springfield, 2-0, on Saturday afternoon. The win also marked the program's first victory over the Pride. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

EMERSON

Kopanezos: one goal
Delbanco: one goal
Ben Deeming: one assist 

GOALIE: Matthew Mueller (W, 2-0): zero goals allowed on 12 shots with 12 stops through 90 minutes

SPRINGFIELD

Chris Cruz: three shots (two on goal)
Maitoe Suppasuesaguan: four shots (three on goal) 

GOALIE: Clayton Knibbs (L, 1-3-2): two goals allowed on 10 shots with eight saves though 90 minutes

HOW IT HAPPENED 

-The defense on both Emerson and Springfield held down the opening 45 minutes as the Pride outshot the Lions, 8-6. Mueller and Knibbs held it down in-between the pipes to keep the scoreless tie in tact.

-At the closing of the opening frame, Springfield had a goal waived due to time expiring as the score still stood at 0-0. 

53": With the score still leveled 0-all, the Pride's defense surrendered a foul that was costly enough to give the Lions a penalty kick opportunity. Kopanezos set up and fired in the game's first goal into the bottom right corner as Knibbs dove to his left. 

83": Emerson held on to the 1-0 lead thanks to stellar defense, which allowed the offense to put another goal on the board. A pass from Deeming found the foot of Delbanco, who raced up the left shoulder with a defender on his tail. He cut into the box and sent the ball just out of Knibbs' reach to up Emerson's lead, 2-0. 

- Emerson's 2-0 goal advantage stood for Springfield did not get another shot off through regulation. 

UP NEXT 

• Emerson ventures over to Lesley on Tuesday, September 20th for the playing of the Charles River Cup at 7:00 p.m. 

FOLLOW THE LIONS 

Want all things Emerson Men's Soccer? Follow the team on Instagram at @emersonmsoc, as well as Twitter at @EmersonMSOC and Facebook at Emerson College Men's Soccer.

Be sure to also follow Emerson Lions Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.