Men's Soccer Suffers Senior Day Defeat to Lourdes

Men's Soccer Suffers Senior Day Defeat to Lourdes
October 26, 2022

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar men's soccer team welcomed the Lourdes Gray Wolves for a WHAC matchup, and let the seniors say goodbye to Lake Trust Stadium as part of Senior Day Wednesday evening.

Cleary got on the board first in the 16th minute.  After drawing a foul just outside the penalty area on the left side, Lesman Morazan stood over the ball for the ensuing free kick.  He would deliver a beauty, as the ball was put into the box with pace, and was placed in such a way the goalie was unable to get to it, as it went into the net for the game's opening goal.  Cleary looked to be in control after the goal for the rest of the half, but the Gray Wolves would get behind the Cougars' back line and drew a penalty in the box, against the run of play.  Lourdes would convert the penalty kick and tie the game at 1-1.

In the second half, neither team really looked like they were going to be able to get the winning goal as the game was predominantly played in the midfield.  Lourdes would get a breakthrough, as they sent a ball up the left hand side, crossed it towards the top of the box, and a shot was fired.  It hit the side post and bounced in to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.  Cleary then had the news of the game, as a Lourdes player was given his second yellow card, and the Cougar's would play the final 16 minutes up a man.  Unfortunately, Cleary was never able to create that dangerous chance, and the Gray Wolves held on to win 2-1.

Austin Freemire would suffer the loss in goal, as he allowed 2 goals while making 3 saves.  Lesman Morazan's goal was his 7th of the season to lead the Cougars.  Lourdes held the advantage on shots at 13-8, while Cleary held the advantage in corner kicks at 5-4.  Cleary drops to 3-10-4 overall, 1-7-2 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will finish the season at Siena Heights on Saturday with a game vs. the Saints.  Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.