The Northeastern men’s soccer team (1-3-2, 0-2 CAA) fell to the Drexel Dragons (3-3, 1-1 CAA) Sept. 14, 1-0. Despite a strong offensive effort in the second half, the Huskies failed to secure their first conference victory of the season. The Dragons haven’t suffered a loss at home since 2022, keeping their streak alive.
Northeastern was composed out of the gate, comfortably shuffling the ball from box to box — but Drexel immediately applied pressure.
Both teams’ defenses flourished in the opening half, relentlessly shutting down offensive sparks on either end. The Huskies found rhythm in their team plays, scanning the field and spreading out the ball, but the Dragons weren’t deterred.
In the first 12 minutes, neither team got a shot off — let alone an opportunity on goal.
Drexel then began revving up, holding possession of the ball and finding open plays. The Dragons notched the first two shots of the game in the 15th and 18th minute — but both were off-target.
Northeastern fought for an opportunity on net, earning its first shot of the game from graduate forward Harry Sankey in the 23rd minute, followed by a corner kick in the 24th. The Dragons snuck away with the ball, but the Huskies got another opportunity when freshman midfielder Ethan Kang earned a free kick in the 25th minute. Despite still failing to get on target, Northeastern remained relentless with a shot by junior defender Christoph Schurz less than a minute later.
The Huskies appeared to be gaining momentum entering a break — but the trajectory shifted quickly.
Following the short pause, Drexel came out with more heat and physicality. After tallying another off-target shot in the 26th minute, the Dragons found the back of the net four minutes later.
Taking a free kick for Drexel, graduate midfielder Patrick Short fired the ball off his right foot into the top left of the net — not even giving a chance for graduate goalkeeper Colby Hegarty to intercept. Leading the team with seven goals last season, Short notched his first of the season, putting Drexel up 1-0 with 15 minutes left in the period.
Despite the Dragons outscoring the Huskies in the first half, both teams suffered lackluster offenses from the beginning. Drexel secured five shots in the opening 45 minutes, while Northeastern only tallied two — not a single on goal for the Huskies, unable to break through Drexel’s defense.
Down by one entering the second half, Northeastern didn’t give up, fighting to even up the score. Pushing the ball upfield more, the Huskies got their first shot on goal from sophomore midfielder Mathias Hille just two minutes into the period, but it was saved by Drexel’s junior goalkeeper Raphael Bartell.
The Dragons also continued fighting, and once again leading the charge was Short. Driving the ball forwards, Short sliced the ball towards the right of the net, scarcely missing the goal — and the opportunity to put Drexel up by two.
Northeastern tallied five more shots at the 15-minute mark of the half, yet not a single was on frame. But outshooting Drexel 5-to-3 in the half, momentum appeared to be shifting. The Huskies enhanced their offensive play, getting more into the final third of the field and maintaining possession.
Northeastern applied pressure, as junior defender Jaden Prado struck from deep in the 69th minute, rifling the ball towards the top left of the net — but Drexel got the stop.
Trying to maximize opportunities, the Huskies notched a corner kick and two free kicks in the following five minutes, but they were continuously snuffed out by the Dragons.
Physicality increased as frustration shined through from both teams, but for different reasons: Northeastern’s inability to find the back of the net and Drexel’s lack of looks on goal in the second half.
Desperate to even the score, Sankey got a low shot in the bottom center of the net, but Drexel remained tall and strong in the box, making the save.
Play was back-and-forth in the final five minutes, Northeastern earning some dangerous balls, but Drexel remained composed defensively.
Despite Northeastern’s superior play in the second half, it didn’t matter as the clock ticked down. Both teams notched 11 shots in total, but Drexel’s goal was the differential as the Dragons shut out the Huskies, 1-0.
Northeastern will look to bounce back against Harvard (0-1-2) Sept. 17 at Parsons Field.
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