Box Score However, Albion, moving to 1-2 on the season, used a strong free kick attempt from sophomore defender Grant Juth that turned into an MU own goal in the final five minutes to escape with a 2-1 win.
The Black and Gold used a well set-up cross from senior midfielder/forward Andrew Gray (Anderson, Ind.) to post their goal in the second half. Gray raced down the right side of the field and served it into the box in front of the Albion net where senior forward Dian Radev (Burgas, Bulgaria) hammered it past the visitors' keeper to tie the match at 1-1. Radev's goal kept him entrenched in the team's season points lead, as he has four through two matches.
For the second successive match, Radev also led the Black and Gold in shot attempts (two). Senior midfielder/forward Lucas Shelly (Goshen, Ind.) and junior defender/midfielder Matt Suderman (Bluffton, Ohio) added the other tries. Senior goalkeeper Grant Noakes (LaPorte, Ind.) helped keep the Spartans close throughout with six saves.
Albion opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a rocket shot off the foot of senior midfielder Matt Woster. Woster broke away down the right side and found the left corner of Manchester University's net for a 1-0 lead. The visitors kept the advantage until Gray and Radev teamed up for the tie to set up the final minutes' finish.
Manchester pressed Albion's defense after the eventual game-winning goal. However, a pair of free kick chances in the final minute came up empty.
The Spartans (0-2) resume a three-match week by competing in the Trine University of Angola, Ind., tournament Friday and Saturday, Sept. 7 and 8. MU opposes Kalamazoo College of Michigan at 5 p.m. Friday and the host Thunder at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
