ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. – The Elizabethtown men's soccer team opened Landmark Conference play with a big win, downing visiting Susquehanna, 3-1, Saturday afternoon on Ira R. Herr Field.

With the win, the Blue Jays improve to 5-3-1 overall and 1-0-0 in the Landmark, while the River Hawks fall to 2-7-0 on the season and 0-1-0 in conference play.

Senior JD Haaf scored two goals for Elizabethtown and junior Eli Perry scored his first of the season.

Susquehanna found its lone tally from sophomore Edward Lynch. His goal was assisted by junior Pat Bresney and junior Kyle Trainor.



After a scoreless opening 30 minutes, the Blue jays took advantage of a handball in the River Hawks' box. Haaf stepped up to the penalty spot and rifled it into the back of the net for his first of the game and the 1-0 lead heading into the half.

The game remained 1-0 through the second half until the 80th minute. Senior Brendan Burke pressured the Susquehanna keeper into a poor clearance, finding the foot of Perry on the right side of the field 35 yards from goal. Perry took a touch, realized the keeper was off his line, and knocked a shot in from deep, giving Elizabethtown an important second goal.

After the River Hawks moved within one in the 84th minute, Haaf wasted little time squashing Susquehanna's hopes as he collected a throw-in, turned his defender on the left side, and slotted his shot into the opposite post for an insurance goal and the 3-1 victory for the Blue Jays.

Freshman Kelvin Del Cid (5-3-1) made five saves on nine shots.

Sophomore Kyle Speckhart (1-3) made two saves on eight shots.

Elizabethtown hits the road for a midweek non-conference showdown with Penn State Berks on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m