ASTON, Pa.- The Immaculata University men's soccer team battled Neumann University to a 1-0 loss in the Atlantic East Semifinal match. The Mighty Macs entered the tournament as the three seed against the second-seeded Knights, as each team advanced to the semi-final stage via a first round bye.

How It Happened

• Jonathan Olalaye generated the match's first shot which fell right of the goalpost.
• Neumann continued to try goalkeeper Ryan Straub with lofted passes to the left side of the box, as Straub corralled several cross attempts made by the Knights.
• The possession battle favored the Knights early, as Neumann won more 50/50 balls and tracked upfield with more frequency.
• The Knights found the match's first goal 30 minutes into play. On the play, Neumann's Jake Kuzmick came away with the ball inside the box, using a low strike to find the back of the net.
• Late in the first half, Immaculata looked to connect a pass to even the score at 1-1, but the Mighty Macs were unable to bury their cross far post out of a corner kick.
• Kyle Coleman made a sliding stop to halt a Neumann shot toward goal before halftime.
• Sean Franks, Reed Lindsay, and Oliver Wilkins each took shots in the closing minutes of the first half.
• Neumann created six shots in the fifteen minutes that followed the halftime break, as the score remained 1-0 favoring the Knights. Ryan Straub would make a pair of saves on the attempts, punching the latter over the crossbar to deny a shot attempt on goal.
• The teams traded tries in the middle of the second half, as neither squad found a goal.
• Neumann created several late corner kicks that each led to shots to help keep Immaculata in check.
• Immaculata was unable to find the equalizer before the end of regulation, marking the completion of their 2024 campaign.

Inside the Numbers

• The Mighty Macs were credited with more first half shots (IU 6, NEU 4), the Knights outshot Immaculata 14-4 in the second half.
• Ryan Straub made four saves, each coming in the second frame.
• Neumann generated 6 corner kicks to Immaculata's 2.
• Jonathan Olaleye and Sean Franks led Immaculata with two shot attempts apiece.

Up Next

• With the 1-0 victory, Neumann University advances to the Atlantic East Conference Championship match, set for Saturday, November 9th.
• The Knights will be met by Marymount University, as the top-seeded Saints defeated Marywood University in their semifinal match.