RINDGE, N. H. – The Bloomsburg men's soccer team earned a 2-1 victory in its opening round game of the NCAA Tournament Thursday evening.
 
Stephen Hollis (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem East) tied the game for the Huskies with a low-angling screamer off his right boot, while Kody Besser (Lacey Township, N.J./Lacey Township) gave the team the lead for good after firing home a shot from a scramble inside the box.  
 
With the win, Bloomsburg earned the first NCAA Tournament win in program history in its third appearance while scoring its first two goals.
 
How It Happened:
The Huskies got off to a slow start in the opening 15 minutes of action, struggling to find any positive swing while in possession. The pressure was on the Bloomsburg backline early, with the Penmen having five attempts at goal inside the 11 minutes.
 
Anthony Schlee (Baltimore, Md./Archbishop Curley) was to take an opportunity at the net for the Huskies with a shot that sailed high in the 21st minute. Bloomsburg improved its foothold in the match but continued to misfire on its chances going forward, ending the opening half in a 0-0 tie.
 
Southern New Hampshire continued to play on the offensive out of the gate in the second half, forcing goalkeeper Brady Rimple (Cherryville, Pa./Northampton Area) to make a save in the first 90 seconds. Schlee again looked to spark the Huskies' efforts, drawing a save from the Penmen's goalkeeper.
 
The first goal of the night came in the 61st minute, with Southern New Hampshire finally able to convert one of its chances. Unfazed by the goal, Bloomsburg drove down the field, working the ball down the left wing with Sammy Ames (Holly Ridge, N.C./Dixon), who layered the ball outside the box, leading to the 10th career goal for Hollis.
 
With the game reset, the two sides continued to trade opportunities, with Rimple coming up with the save of the season after a tremendous leaping effort to redirect the ball out of bounds. The Huskies, pushing on the counter, took advantage of a free kick that bounced around, initially off Sam Blumberger (Colchester, Conn./Bacon Academy), before landing at the feet of Besser, who laced the ball into the back of the net for the Bloomsburg lead.
 
The teams fought tooth and nail for their desired results, with each side having a chance to put another tally on the board. In the final stretch, a Huskies defense that has been the backbone of this season's success prevailed to clinch the victory.

Bloomsburg proved to be the more clinical side on the evening, scoring twice despite a 16-6 shot advantage in favor of the Penmen, who also had a 6-0 edge with corner opportunities. Rimple finished a stellar night in goal with six saves. With the assist, Ames now has 30 career points. 

On the Horizon:
Bloomsburg readies for a second-round matchup with No. 1 seed and defending national champion Franklin Pierce on Saturday, November 18, at 4:00 p.m.