Ravens Suffer Loss in HCAC Opener

The Anderson University men's soccer team suffered a 4-0 loss to Transylvania University during Saturday's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) opener in Lexington, Ky.
 
In the first half, Anderson (3-7-1, 0-1) outshot Transylvania (4-5, 1-0) by an 8-6 margin, but the Pioneers made the most of their opportunities and started with a 2-0 lead at halftime.
 
"As I am extremely disappointed, with the result, I felt like our first half was better [than Transylvania's] and had many chances to be up early," Coach Scott Fridley said.
 
R.J. Macomber (Marion, Ind./Marion) and Nick Martin (New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine) each provided strong scoring opportunities, but Transylvania goalkeeper Drew Grisham collected both shots.
 
"Their keeper came up with two great saves to keep us at zero."
 
The Ravens had to adjust after suffering a large number of injuries during the match.
 
Macomber contributed a team-high four shots, which included a shot on goal. Martin totaled three shots, which included two shots on goal. Chase Litzke (Plain City, Ohio/Fairbanks) registered both of his shots on frame. Race Williams (Fishers, Ind./Heritage Christian) tallied two shots. Drew Sonnefeldt (Lisle, Ill./Lisle) and Regan Frost (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) both posted shots on goal while Sam Rowlison (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) added a shot.
 
Brayden Humbert (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) led Anderson with three steals and Sonnefeldt intercepted a team-high five passes.
 
Caleb Oliver (Marion, Ind./Marion) started the first 76 minutes, 21 seconds in goal for the Ravens and saved five of the eight shots he faced. Jackson Etheridge (Finneytown, Ohio/St. Xavier) came in for the remaining 13:39, saw three shots and came up with two saves.
 
Grisham recorded a seven-save shutout for the Pioneers.
 
Garrett Dean netted two goals for Transylvania. Charlie Wend and Mitchell Crispin both produced goals while Alex Shkraba, Zach Hill and Devin Craig each turned in assists.
 
Transylvania outshot Anderson 20-14 and held a 12-7 advantage in shots on target.
 
"Our new formation gave us some new opportunity for success, but we just didn't stick with it unfortunately for the duration of the game. To play this way asks a lot of our players, but I think they can make it work. Onto a pivotal game on Wednesday."
 
The Ravens are scheduled for two HCAC matchups next week. Anderson hosts Manchester University (4-6-1, 1-0) for Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the AU Soccer Fields. The Ravens then battle Mount St. Joseph University (3-8, 1-0) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at the AU Soccer Fields.