The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's soccer team battled before falling to LIU Post by a 2-0 margin in an East Coast Conference contest. The Spartans dropped to 5-8-1 overall and 3-5 in the ECC, while LIU Post - ranked #6 in the nation in Division II - improved to 12-0-2, 6-0-1.

STAC started the contest in a defensive posture and the gameplan worked beautifully, as each team had just two shots over the first 30 minutes of play on the way to a scoreless first 45 minutes, with the Spartans created opportunities on the counterattack in the later stages of the half.

LIU Post brought the pressure early in the second half and finally broke through at 53:46. Harry Pearse made a strong run into the left corner and his pass into the penalty area and Lucas Ostermann delivered an artistic backheel shot past a helpless Jack Nicholson for the game's first goal.

Both teams enjoyed chances from there in an entertaining battle, with the Spartans' Alejandro Coyt-Orozco having near-perfect shot targeted under the crossbar turned aside by Post netminder, Oliver Hessner Hansen. Moments later, the visitors' Charlie Nedula's bid to add an insurance goal was denied on a spectacular save by Nicholson.

Cameron Pashley's bid in the 61st minute caught the joint between the post and crossbar as both teams threatened before LIUP finally netted their second goal. Ledula, who had been robbed earlier, hit the net for his 11th goal of the season at 83:52, giving the Pioneers a big two-goal cushion and their final margin of victory. Post held a narrow 13-11 edge in shots on the afternoon, as STAC more than held its own against one of the top teams in the country.

The Spartans wrap up their home schedule on Tuesday, October 24, hosting Millersville University. The 3:00 pm start is also Senior Day, as St. Thomas Aquinas College pays tribute to seniors playing their final home game.