MANCHESTER, NH – The defensive unit for the Roberts Wesleyan University Men's Soccer team was put to the test Thursday afternoon but a late goal by Saint Anselm College was the difference as the Redhawks dropped a 1-0 decision in New Hampshire.
In a scoreless first half, Saint Anselm (2-1-0) controlled the play and held a 7-0 shots advantage of the first 45 minutes but the team went into the halftime intermission tied at 0-0.
Senior goalie Juan Daniel Espinosa Rubio made five stops in the first half and finished the game with six saves in the Roberts (1-1-0) goal.
For most of the second half, the teams played back-and-forth as the Redhawks offense started to have more scoring opportunities.
With less than eight minutes left in the match, Saint Anselm moved the ball up the right side of the field and eventually earned a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box.
The crossing shot was headed away by a Roberts defender but the ball was played back into the box and redirected with a header past Espinosa for the only goal of the game.
Roberts used offensive pressure in the closing minutes of the game but played a man down after a late red card in the game.
The best scoring chance in the closing minutes came as freshman Landon Ambeau sent a hearer toward the Hawk goal but the attempt went just over the cross bar.
The Redhawks remain on the road and will play at Saint Michael's College at 3 p.m. Saturday in Vermont.
