The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's soccer team. rallied to tie but came up short by a 2-1 count in an East Coast Conference contest against Dowling College at Spartan Field. STAC fell to 2-3-2, 0-3-0 with the loss, with Dowling improving to 6-2-1, 3-0-0.

An evenly-played start saw each team register just one shot at the midway point of the first half, but Dowling would hit the board first. Phillip Svensson sent a corner kick into the box which was headed by teammate Raffaele Sorbara to a waiting Sean Collins, whose header sailed past a helpless Nicholas Palumbbo in the Spartan net.

Defense would continue to set the tempo for the remainder of the half with the Golden Lions maintaining their narrow lead and a scant 5-4 lead in shots.

Each team traded golden chances in the second half with Palumbo making a pair of big saves before Pierfranc Simonetti tied the score at 72:02 off a free kick outside the Dowling box. With time dwindling in regulation, the Spartans pressed for the go-ahead goal, but DC goalkeeper Chris Friedl's long punt sent teammate Andrae Campbell away, beating Palumbo at 82:39.

STAC battled into the final seconds but Dowling held on for the decision, outshooting the Spartans by a 12-11 count on the day. Palumbo was credited with seven saves on the day.

The Spartans return to action this Monday, September 29, hosting Felician College at Spartan in a 3:00 pm start. They will then hit the road for ECC tilts at Daeman College, Roberts Wesleyan College, and Queens College.