SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - It was a hard-fought game, and the lone goal was not without controversy, but the American International College men's soccer team was ultimately on the right side of a 1-0 win over Northeast 10 Conference foe Saint Michael's College in a nonleague game on Saturday, September 12.
AIC improves to 2-1-2 with the victory.
The Yellow Jackets drew five corner kicks in the first half, but their territorial dominance did not translate into offense; the team made just two shots on target in the half, which ended scoreless.
Things opened for both teams in the second half, with the Purple Knights firing shots from everywhere and AIC continuing to generate looks as well; AIC held an 11-8 attempt advantage in the final 45, but the Purple Knights had six on goal to AIC's three.
The lone tally came in unusual fashion; an AIC corner kick came above the center of the 18, and
Marc Tasies Minguell received it; the head referee had positioned himself there in preparation for the corner and was unable to get out of the way of Minguell's shot.
That gave AIC a drop ball opportunity just outside of the box, and the Yellow Jackets pressed forward, drawing another corner. This one was taken by
Giorgos Nikolettides, who slung the ball to the right side to
Sandro Alvarez Jimenez. His cross fell to
Marco Cabrera on the far post, who powered in his first of the season at 75:32.
Javier Solá Martínez made seven saves in the win to improve to 2-1-2 on the season.
AIC next plays Mercy University on Wednesday, September 16 at 3:00 p.m.
