Box Score YORK, Pa. -- Stevenson conceded two goals in the opening half, coming just over a minute apart, before falling to York (Pa.) by a 2-1 final on Wednesday night at Graham Field.
Stevenson (8-8-2, 4-3-0 MAC Commonwealth) eventually found the back of the net as part of a second half push. York (Pa.) (6-7-3, 4-3-0 MAC Commonwealth) picked up an important victory in terms of conference seeding with its big first half showing. Following the conclusion of games across the conference on Wednesday, both squads clinched a berth into the MAC Commonwealth tournament.
- York (Pa.) was whistled for a pair of offsides as each team looked to establish some momentum in the early going.
- Kristian Slaby nabbed his first save of the evening on a Tyler Howlett chance in the 20th minute. Stevenson countered with a high shot attempt from Alex Morales in the 28th minute.
- Stevenson got in the way of a Noah Roache shot, blocking the opportunity in the 33rd minute. On the other end of the field, Dylan Holy pushed a shot wide in the 35th minute.
- York worked for time in the attacking fourth of the field, firing another shot and earning a corner in the 37th minute.
- On a long counter, York's Drew Ruehlicke sent a cross to a cutting Roache alone in the box, slotting a low shot into the net for a 1-0 Spartan advantage.
- Not long after the restart, York regathered and found the back of the net again on a cross from the left side to the middle. This time, Ethan Lassen settled the ball down and converted, doubling the York lead to 2-0.
- Matt Stellitano began the second half in goal for the Mustangs as York posted three shots in the first 15 minutes, unable to place any on target.
- After gaining possession in the midfield, Stevenson surged ahead for a chance just outside the 18-yard box as Sean McDonald ripped the attempt wide in the 65th minute.
- Both squads continued working fresh players into the lineup as Stevenson aimed for any spark to climb back into the contest.
- A back-post cross went just beyond the sliding Will Earhart with about 20 minutes to go, one of the best chances of the night that did not materialize for the Mustangs. After a lull in the action, Stellitano raced in to close off a Brayden Safley shot in the 77th minute.
- Stevenson notched a late corner chance in the 82nd minute as Brian Ventura found the ball and converted in traffic, trimming the York lead to 2-1. The Mustangs zipped forward in search of the game-tying marker as Iliass Zouita labeled a chance wide in the 84th minute on a long chance that looped around a wall of players.
- The Spartans registered their two goals in the opening half just 1:15 apart. York held a 5-2 margin in hosts over the opening 45 minutes.
- York has owned the all-time series historically against Stevenson, increasing its advantage to 20-1-4 against the Mustangs.
- Entering the night's action, Messiah (1), Lebanon Valley and Alvernia have locked up spots in the upcoming MAC Tournament.
- Following the conclusion of contests on Wednesday, now all five conference tournament berths have been clinched.
- Stevenson has endured a tricky three-game stretch against teams in the upper half of the conference standings, including two playoff teams.
- Ventura registered his first goal of the season and second of his career.
- The Spartans finished with a 12-5 edge in shots on the night.
- Both teams are now 4-3 in MAC Commonwealth play.
- Stevenson: The Mustangs close out the fall 2021 regular season on the road against Lebanon Valley, beginning at 3:30 PM on Saturday, October 30.
- York: The Spartans wrap up regular-season play on Saturday, October 30 against Widener.
