Box Score FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Franklin College men's soccer team kicked off the 2021 spring campaign under the lights at Faught Stadium on Tuesday (Mar. 2) night with a matchup against the Manchester Spartans.
Defense dictated the play in the first half before two quick Manchester (1-0) goals early in the second half spelled trouble for the Grizzlies (0-1). Franklin drew within one late in the game, but a late penalty kick goal put the game out of reach and gave the Spartans a 3-1 win.
How It Happened
Neither side was able to break through in the opening half and each team was able to get off just three shot attempts. Manchester's Jacob Knepper got the opener in the 53rd minute off a corner kick and the Spartans added another less than nine minutes later.
With just under 10 minutes to go, Franklin's Jacob Thompson let a cross go from the right side of the box that found Eddy Yousak's head and eventually, the back of the net to get the home side back within a goal. But a Franklin foul in their own box led to a penalty kick in the 85th minute for Manchester that put things out of reach.
Inside the Box Score
-Wearing the captain's band for the first time in his career, Thompson recorded his first career assist on the Yousak goal.
-Franklin held a 9-8 advantage in shot attempts with junior Angel Tapia and freshman Dany Escamilla leading the team with three shots each.
-Ian Rowe got the call between the pipes and turned aside three Manchester shots on the night.
-Nine different Grizzlies made their career debuts on Wednesday night: Rowe, Escamilla, Yousak, Noah Harris, Tom Shrader, Sam Brunsman, Roth Kessler, Jacob Baker and Chase Hartlage.
Up Next
Franklin hits the road on Saturday (Mar. 6) and heads to Ohio to take on the Defiance Yellow Jackets. Kick-off is currently set for 3:30 p.m.
