HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Ellis Boyle continues to show a flare for late dramatics in the opening part of his rookie campaign as the first-year scored with just under 12 minutes remaining to lift the Franklin & Marshall men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory at Juniata on Wednesday night.
It was Ellis' assist on the game-winning goal to Ben Garland versus Vassar that jump-started the Diplomats' current four-match unbeaten streak as the team sits at 3-1-1 through its first five games. Wednesday's final score followed another familiar storyline as the Diplomats found themselves down a goal at the start of this unbeaten streak before Nico Palacios tallied the equalizer during the first half against Vassar.
Wednesday's non-conference clash marked the first time since 1990 that these teams met after they played every season from 1984 through that 1990 match up. The host Eagles finished the night with a 10-8 advantage in shots, but Palacios and Boyle made the most of their attempts as each scored on their only shot on goal of the evening. Those two goal scorers also finished with a team-high three total shot attempts.
For Palacios, his second goal of the season gives the sophomore four during his career as he has now scored on two of his four shots on goal this season. Boyle's goal was the first of his collegiate career after the game-winning assist versus Vassar marked the first point of his collegiate career. Boyle was finally rewarded for his persistent efforts as he had registered multiple shot attempts during each of the first five matches of his time with the Diplomats.
Both teams finished the match with four shots on goal, but three saves from Diego Moreno helped the visiting side came away with the win.
Men's soccer will now turn its attention to the Centennial Conference opener as the Diplomats head to Allentown on Saturday, September 19 for a conference clash at Muhlenberg. That contest is slated for a 7 p.m. start under the lights before the team returns home next week to officially put a wrap on the non-conference portion of the schedule when it hosts Albright.
