ANNVILLE, Pa. ­­– Nolan Ross netted the game-winning goal for the Lebanon Valley College Men's Soccer team late in the second half, propelling the program to an exciting 1-0 victory over No. 4 Washington College (Md.) in its season opener on Friday, Aug. 30 at Herbert Field. 

This game was a defensive battle early, as the Dutchmen (1-0-0) and the Shoremen (0-1-0) went back and forth through the first half. Offensive opportunities were limited for both sides during the opening 45 minutes, as neither team sent the ball toward the net for almost the first seven minutes. Washington took the first shot 6:53 into the contest, but goalkeeper Dalton Fitterling was there to make the save. 

LVC continued to deliver a strong defensive effort as the stanza progressed, keeping Washington scoreless despite facing three shots during a stretch of 1:30 that began near the end of the 21^st minute. Lebanon Valley then generated some scoring chances toward the end of the first half, as Darryl Greenwood took three shots in a span of 2:47, which started in the 40^th minute. The programs continued to limit each other in the remainder of the first, prompting the game to enter halftime in a 0-0 tie. 

The defensive showcase continued when the second half began, as neither team attempted a shot for nearly six minutes at the start. Fitterling registered his second save of the afternoon and the 200th of his career when he made a stop on an attempt by the Shoremen 5:56 into the frame. Lebanon Valley also kept working to create offensive opportunities as the second rolled on. Aaron Weitzel, Charlie McCormick, and Matthew Weinstock-Collins contributed to these efforts by each sending the ball toward the net within a stretch of 4:03 that began near the end of the 54^th minute. 

The Dutchmen broke the scoreless tie 77:09 into the match, taking a 1-0 lead. Nathan Prex delivered a pass to Ross on the left side, who sent a shot past the diving attempt of Washington's goalkeeper for the clutch goal. The Shoremen attempted to even the score as the second half went on, but Fitterling made another save on a shot just 36 seconds later. Ultimately, Lebanon Valley's defense kept Washington off the scoreboard during the remaining minutes of the game to secure the victory. 

Inside the Box Score

• Ross scored his first goal with Lebanon Valley in the second half, which proved to be the difference in the contest. 
• Prex dished out the assist on the game-winning goal by Ross.
• Fitterling saved all four shots on goal he faced and recorded his 200th career save with his second of the day.
• The Dutchmen took nine shots, and Greenwood led the team with three attempts. 
• LVC controlled the possession, as the squad had the ball for 51 percent of the game. 
• The Flying Dutchmen had five corner kicks while the Shoremen had two. 
• The victory marks Lebanon Valley's first win against a nationally ranked opponent since defeating No. 20 Gettysburg College on Sept. 20, 2017. 

Up Next
The Dutchmen will return to action at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, as the program will host Alfred University at Herbert Field. 

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