Men's Soccer News Releases

Rams fall twice during opening week of season

Coming up - Tuesday, Sept. 8, vs. Iowa Wesleyan, Mount Vernon, 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 12, vs. MacMurray (Ill.), Mount Vernon, 5 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 13, at Monmouth, Monmouth, Ill., 1:30 p.m.

Ram rewind - Cornell slipped to 0-2 to start the season despite not allowing a first-half goal in nonconference play last week.

The Rams were dealt a 3-0 season-opening loss to Mount Mercy Sept. 2 in Mount Vernon. Cornell then dropped a 2-0 decision Sept. 5 at Beloit (Wis.).

Cornell hung with Mount Mercy for a large portion of the match, which remained scoreless with only 15 minutes left to play. The Mustangs took advantage of a penalty kick to put the first goal on the scoreboard at the 76-minute mark. Mount Mercy added two more goals in the final five minutes to seal the win.

The Rams were outshot 15-2, getting their lone attempts from Alex Beehler (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) and Ryan Walden (Edina, Minn./Edina). Cornell freshman goalkeeper Ben Folan (Chicago, Ill./Kenwood Academy) finished with three saves.

Freshman Ben Alleva (Cary, Ill./Cary-Grove) drew the starting nod at keeper against Beloit, collecting seven saves. Beloit broke a scoreless tie at the 48-minute mark and then added a late insurance goal.

Kobina Essandoh (Worcester, Mass./Presec) accounted for four of Cornell's nine shots. Beloit attempted 25 shots against Alleva.