Aaron Rathsam vs. Alvernia 9/21/16
0
Alvernia ALV (0-8)
2
Winner Elizabethtown ETOWN (5-1)
Alvernia ALV
(0-8)
0
Final
2
Elizabethtown ETOWN
(5-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Alvernia ALV 0 0 0
Elizabethtown ETOWN 1 1 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

No. 16 men's soccer bounces back with win over Alvernia

ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. -- The 16th-ranked Elizabethtown men's soccer team got a goal and an assist from junior midfielder Aaron Rathsam in a 2-0 shutout of Alvernia on Kicks for Cancer night, Wednesday, at Ira R. Herr Field.

The Blue Jays (5-1) improved to 10-1-2 all-time against the Crusaders, who were held without a goal for the fifth game in a row this season, dating back to Sept. 4.

Alvernia got the game's first prime scoring opportunity just 66 seconds in. Jay Ringer's pass found an open Adam Orndorff on the left side of the 18-yard box, but Elizabethtown keeper Ryan Sandell got a mitt on Orndorff's shot to negate the chance.

Sandell's counterpart, Zach Rider, was up to the task at the other end, making a big save on Jeff Light at the 4:02 mark.

Rookie JD Haaf gave the Blue and Gray a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute, depositing an Aaron Rathsam pass from about 10 yards out for his second goal of the campaign.

Rider continued to do everything in his power to keep Alvernia (0-8) in the game, diving left to rob Travis Wilson and also stopping Connor Rathsam during a period of sustained pressure by the Jays late in the half.

Sandell made three saves in just over 60 minutes of play. Alvernia came inches from tying the game in the 55th minute when Alec Denlinger's shot was stopped by Sandell, but the ball slipped between his legs and towards the goal line. The senior was able to keep his poise and recover before the ball could cross.

Aaron Rathsam would add an insurance goal in the 71st minute to make it 2-0. The elder Rathsam collected a pass from Cameron Sheva and uncorked a cannon into the left upper 90.

Elizabethtown, which has played all six of its games at home in 2016, outshot Alvernia 21-8. The Jays held an 11-5 edge in shots on goal and a 7-3 advantage in corners.

Sam Feehrer, Light, Aaron Rathsam and Gilbert Waso recorded three shots apiece.

In front of Sandell and Brian Gately (two saves), the defense did another superb job limiting chances for the Crusaders. Feehrer, Mitchell Gochnauer, Scott Hess and Jamison MacMain were crucial in Elizabethtown's fourth shutout in six games. Sandell and Gately combined on a clean sheet for the third time this fall.

Rider finished with nine saves for Alvernia.

The conference opener awaits Elizabethtown Saturday when Drew visits Ira R. Herr Field for a 3:30 p.m. start.
 
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