Men's Soccer Falls Short in Regional Battle
Sep 16, 2015
BOX SCORE
DUBUQUE, Iowa - Junior Tom Murphy scored the Spartans only goal as the University of Dubuque men's soccer team fell to North Park University, 3-1, at home on Wednesday night in a battle of regionally ranked teams.
The Spartans, who debuted at No. 8 in the NSCAA North Region rankings, were outshot, 15-7, by a defensive minded North Park squad that limited UD to two shots in the first half. The Vikings, ranked No. 6 in the NSCAA Central Region rankings, generated all three goals from their leading goal scorer, Tahmi-Masoleh. The junior started off his hat trick in the 18th minute thanks to a slicing run down the middle. Tahmi-Masoleh struck again in the 65th, but the Spartans (3-2-1) would counter thanks to Murphy's second goal of the year.
The Leicester, England native torched the back of the net after collecting a careening ball off a mad scramble inside the goalie box. With the Viking lead cut to 2-1, Tahmi-Masoleh sealed the deal on his sixth and final shot with his final goal at the 80th minute.
Murphy and Malcolm Phillips paced the team with two shots each, both on goal for Murphy. Senior goalkeeper Riley Jensen collected six saves in defeat.
It was the second straight, regionally ranked opponent in as many games for the Spartans after facing the Milwaukee School of Engineering (5th in Central Region) in a narrow, 2-1, overtime loss last Saturday.
UD is winless against the Vikings (5-1) in four meetings dating back to 2004.
The Spartans host Elmhurst College next Tuesday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m.
