HOBOKEN, N.J. ­­– The Lebanon Valley College men's soccer team battled until the final minute against Stevens Institute of Technology in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom Final, as the program dropped a hard-fought 1-0 contest on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the DeBaun Athletic Complex. 

The Dutchmen (10-4-6) and Ducks (9-3-6) went back and forth defensively early in the match, as neither program tallied a shot for over five minutes at the start. Lebanon Valley then generated some offensive opportunities, as Will Burton had a shot blocked at the 5:25 mark while Nathan Prex put a shot on goal that was saved 42 seconds later. Stevens followed this with a shot on target at the 7:17 mark, which resulted in goalkeeper Ryan Simonette posting a save for LVC. Simonette delivered another stop for the Flying Dutchmen at the 10:04 mark. Back on the offensive end, Prex and Simon Grimes then put a shot on goal each within four seconds in the 15th minute, which were saved. Prex also attempted a shot that was blocked at the 17:01 mark. 

The Ducks responded with a shot that went over the upper-left corner of the net 20:47 into the first half, and a shot on goal that Simonette saved for the Dutchmen at the 27:02 mark. The squads then competed on the defensive end for 15:36, as neither side recorded another shot until there were less than three minutes to go in the opening stanza. Stevens attempted a shot at the 42:38 mark, but Lebanon Valley's defense came through with a block. The Flying Dutchmen also kept working to create scoring chances, as Ollie Lynch and Gavin Rapp each had a shot blocked within 25 seconds in the 44th minute. Prex also logged a shot that was blocked with 50 seconds left. The score remained even at the end of the first 45 minutes, prompting the programs to enter halftime in a scoreless tie. 

Stevens sent the ball toward the net just 44 seconds into the second half, and Simonette registered another save for Lebanon Valley. The Dutchmen followed this with a shot, as Prex sent a try over the upper-right corner of the net at the 49:51 mark. Back on the defensive end, Simonette continued to limit the opposition by making saves at the 56:26 and 59:25 marks. LVC's defense also blocked a shot attempt by the Ducks at the 62:03 mark, while Simonette had a stop 64:25 into the game. Lebanon Valley's offense countered with an opportunity, as Nathan Newsom put a shot on target that was saved at the 66:35 mark. Stevens then took a shot, which went over the upper-right corner of the net at the 67:14 mark.

Prex created some more scoring chances for the Dutchmen as the second half went on, as the senior had a shot blocked and an attempt that went over the upper-left corner of the net within six seconds in the 74th minute. This was followed by a couple of shots by the Ducks, as the team sent a try over the upper-left corner of the net at the 74:37 mark and had a shot go above the upper-right corner of the net at the 78:42 mark. Stevens then scored on a goal by Ryan O'Byrne 83:31 into the game, taking a 1-0 lead. Lebanon Valley proceeded to deliver a valiant effort through the remaining minutes, as Grimes sent a shot over the upper-right corner of the net at the 84:48 mark, and Simonette posted his eighth save at the 86:11 mark. Ultimately, the Ducks maintained their lead through the end of the contest. 

Inside the Box Score

• Simonette recorded eight saves during the contest. 
• Lebanon Valley recorded 13 shots, including four attempts on goal. 
• Prex tallied a game-high seven shots and tied a game-high with two attempts on target.
• Grimes and Newsom also logged a shot on goal each. 
• Burton, Rapp, and Lynch each had a shot as well. 
• LVC tallied three corner kicks. 

Lebanon Valley concluded a strong 2025 season with a 10-4-6 overall record and a 3-1-3 mark against MAC Freedom opponents. 

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