MU gains HCAC road victory

HANOVER, IND. – The freshman goalkeeper combination of Jared Hallal (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Brad Forman (Hastings, Mich.) played a key role in Manchester University snaring a road Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference win Saturday, Oct. 11.

Forman pitched a shutout over the opening 45 minutes to equal HC net minder John Seewer for a scoreless tie at the break. Hallal was just as strong in the second stanza, allowing just one goal in the final 12 minutes. The pair combined for seven saves in the face of a 17-6 shots advantage for the home side.

MU (5-7 overall, 1-2 HCAC) got its offense going in the second half. Freshman forward Nate Johnson (Portage, Ind.) took a well-placed cross from freshman defender Tod Oram (Crown Point, Ind.) and powered it into the back of the net in the 48^th minute, breaking up the draw, while senior forward Austin Finley (Kokomo, Ind.) hit a shot from 18 yards out that found its way home for a 2-0 lead in the 63^rd minute.

 The Spartans continue along the HCAC circuit Wednesday, Oct. 15, with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Bluffton University of Ohio.

NOTES: Finley became the fifth different Black and Gold player to tally a game-winning score … He and Johnson joined a three-way tie for second, along with senior forward Loic Youth (Detroit, Mich.), on the season goals chart (four).