For the second straight game, the Newberry men's soccer team lost 1-0 in heartbreaking fashion. Playing at North Greenville University, the Wolves frequently pushed the ball upfield and came agonizingly close to scoring on multiple occasions, but it was the home team who managed to find net and come away with the victory.
 
On a rain-soaked evening, the wet conditions made it difficult for the teams to play with precision, and there were several slips and misplayed balls from both sides as a result. The pace of play slowed a bit as the players adjusted to the slick field, but intensity remained high as the teams, both coming off multiple losses, were hungry to get a win. The Wolves controlled tempo in the first half, enjoying a 7-2 advantage in shots and a 4-1 lead in corners, but the teams headed into halftime with the score still even.
 
Soon, a devastating sequence of events would change the complexion of the game. In the 56^th minute, Wolves forward Moses Bakabulindi worked his way between a pair of defenders and let loose a shot that ricocheted off the inside of the post and across the front of the goal. With the offense retaining possession, Oliver Ringqvist moved up to the top of the box and launched a strike that NGU keeper Reno van der Meer was barely able to deflect out of bounds to set up a corner. After two agonizingly close calls, Newberry couldn't convert on the corner, and soon the Crusaders counterattack would find net.
 
Taking advantage of the Wolves' aggression, NGU regained possession and pushed the ball upfield before the Wolves defense could collapse. Facing a 2-on-3 in the box, Forward Gareth Greene took a shot that was blocked by the defense, but a fortuitous bounce took the ball right back to him. Greene then directed the volley to teammate Christopher Hölscher for the only goal of the match. The sudden score emboldened the Crusaders, and the home team began controlling possession more and threatened to extend their lead. But the Wolves would not go down without a fight, pushing their opponents' defense to the brink over the last 10 minutes of play. Yet they remained off the board, at times by the smallest of margins, and once again came up just short.
 
Newberry's season continues with the start of conference play on Saturday, September 18 when they travel to Queens University of Charlotte.