Franklin men's soccer continues to show forward progress this season in several ways.
On Wednesday night, the Grizzlies hung tough with host Manchester but were unable to translate that into the necessary output, taking a 2-0 defeat.
The Grizzlies (0-12-3, 0-6-1 HCAC) just about matched the Spartans shot for shot, finishing with a narrow 13-12 disadvantage in that department — but they were unable to crack MU goalkeeper Will Martin, who made six saves to keep a clean sheet.
Franklin was on the attack from the outset, with sophomore
Enzo Crivari putting a shot on goal less than 90 seconds into the match. The Griz outshot the Spartans 4-0 over the first 11-plus minutes of the game, but it was Manchester who struck first, scoring on its initial shot of the game off a corner kick just over 12 minutes in. The visitors got another shot on frame late in the half from
Doodensly Moise but went into the intermission down by one.
The second half started out in a similar fashion, with Franklin freshman
Ben Johnson putting a shot on goal in the 47th minute. This time, the Spartans responded more quickly, with three shots on target over the next five minutes, but Griz netminder
Austin White stopped all three.
Crivari and Johnson each put another shot on goal during the middle portion of the half, but neither was able to net the equalizer — and Manchester gave itself some insurance with its second goal, doubling the lead with 21:26 to go.
Franklin's lone shot on goal the rest of the way came from Crivari in the 72nd minute. The visitors attempted a pair of shots in the last five minutes but missed the mark with both.
White finished with seven saves for the Grizzlies, who next travel to Berea on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m.).
