RINDGE, N.H. (August 30, 2018) – Nyack College sophomore forward Alex Garcia provided the lone goal in the game as the Franklin Pierce University men's soccer team suffered a 1-0 season-opening defeat Thursday evening during "Welcome Back" festivities on Sodexo Field.

The Ravens offensive attack was clearly superior in the contest as they tallied 13 shots to Nyack's four. FPU also held the advantage in corner kicks 4-to-2. Garcia's marker came early in the second half at the 58:44 mark. He lofted a strike from the left wing uncontested that passed through Raven net minder Jadel Poon-Lewis (Diego Martin, Trinidad & Tobago) hands and into the cage.

Cole Neily (Litchfield, N.H.) and Yannik Felber (Vallendar, Germany) put three shots, two on goals apiece for the Ravens. Felber had two chances in the first half to push the Ravens ahead 1-0, but Alvaro Magel stifled him both times with his best chance coming via a one-on-one on the right wing.

In the second half with the Ravens trailing, Neily drove down the right sideline and stopped right before the box. The second-year midfielder smoked a shot that looked to be headed for the back of the net until Magel leaped in the air to make a sprawling one-handed snare.

Minutes later Neily once again looked for the equalizer with a point-blank attempt that was again turned away by the Warriors goalie. Neily snagged a juicy rebound and footed it towards the cage, but the potential game-tying goal was wide off the mark.

Magel stopped six shots in his first win while Poon-Lewis faced only one shot on goal.

The Ravens remain at home on Sodexo Field Saturday when they take on Queens (N.Y.) College at 7:00 p.m.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://fpuathletics.com). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (https://www.bkstr.com/franklinpiercestore/shop/apparel-and-accessories). You can also follow the men's soccer team on Twitter (https://twitter.com/fpumsoccer), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/fpumsoccer/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fpumsoccer/).