LA PLUME, PA- Aiden Cummings (Baltimore, MD/Mount Saint Joseph) scored a second-half equalizer and James Kallens (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central Regional) recorded four saves as the Keystone College men's soccer team wrapped up its regular season with a closely contested 2–1 decision against McDaniel College Wednesday at the Keystone Turf Field and Track Complex.
The Giants answered a late first-half goal with Cummings' tally in the 56th minute, pulling even before McDaniel moved back in front in the 74th minute.
Keystone finishes the regular season at 6–10–1 overall with a 4–4 record in United East Conference play. The Giants now turn their attention to Saturday's matchup with Lancaster Bible College. McDaniel improved to 8–7–1 with Wednesday's result.
Keystone generated the first two shots of the afternoon, with Marcos Louzada (Guacui, Espirito Santo, Brazil/The Webb School) recording an attempt at 5:08 before Madden Bredek (Phoenix, AZ/Shadowridge) tested McDaniel goalkeeper Gavin Yartymyk with a shot on target at 7:46.
Kallens made his first save in the 16th minute, turning away a shot from Quinn Pudloski to keep the match scoreless. The Giants created another opportunity midway through the opening half when Cummings registered a shot at 26:36, followed seven seconds later by an attempt from Johan Fernandez (Decatur, AL/Decatur) that required a save from Yartymyk.
Keystone also earned the only corner kick of the first half, receiving that opportunity in the 33rd minute. At the other end, Kallens denied Jacob Hicks at 39:05 as the teams remained level heading into the closing minutes of the period.
McDaniel broke through with 31 seconds remaining before halftime, as Hicks scored at 44:29 to give the visitors a 1–0 advantage at the break.
The Giants responded after halftime. Kallens stopped Donovan Green in the 53rd minute, and Cummings supplied the equalizer at 55:34, bringing Keystone even at 1–1.
Cummings quickly threatened again, putting another shot on frame at 57:20. Yartymyk made the save to preserve the tie, but the two attempts gave the Giants a goal and another scoring opportunity in a span of less than two minutes.
The match remained tied for more than 18 minutes following Cummings' goal before Charlie Olson scored at 73:44 to put McDaniel ahead, 2–1. Kallens added a save against Nicholas Clarke at 85:52, keeping Keystone within one through the closing minutes.
Cummings led the Giants with three shots, including two on goal. Bredek and Fernandez each placed their lone attempt on target, while Louzada added a shot. Keystone put four of its six attempts on frame.
Kallens played all 90 minutes in goal and finished with two saves in each half. The Giants used 21 players during the regular-season finale.
Keystone looks ahead to their quarterfinals playoff game against Lancaster Bible College on October 31.
