Spartans Seize Early Lead, Top Ravens

Manchester University topped the Anderson University men's soccer team with a 2-1 victory during Friday's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) matchup in North Manchester.

The Spartans (6-3, 6-3) seized an early 2-0 lead after scoring goals in the seventh and ninth minutes. Anderson (1-7-1, 1-7-1) cut its deficit in half as R.J. Macomber (Marion, Ind./Marion) delivered a goal by Regan Frost (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) in the 35th minute.

"I was very proud of the energy the last 70 minutes of the game," Coach Scott Fridley said. "They got two early goals. A debatable penalty kick started things off and got us stirred up early. We settled down and really played the best we have this season I think in that stretch. Our defense played more complete and really worked for each other."

The Spartans outshot the Ravens 13-8 and held a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal.

Macomber, Frost and Drew Sonnefeldt (Lisle, Ill./Lisle) each registered shots on goal. Sonnefeldt and Macomber tallied two shots apiece. Caleb Gonser (Terre Haute, Ind./Terre Haute South), Victor Silva (Paramount, Calif./St. Matthias Catholic), Grant Conklin (Lewisburg, Ohio/Troy Christian) and Frost each contributed shots.

Danny Moro-Medina (Goshen, Ind./Goshen) saved three of the five shots he faced.

The Ravens take on Bluffton University (1-6-2) in HCAC postseason action on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in Bluffton, Ohio.

"We had moments of brilliance again. We just need to go to Bluffton on Thursday and play well."