ONEONTA, NY – The University of Rochester men's soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision to Eastern University in the opening round of the 2016 NCAA Division III Soccer Tournament on Saturday at Oneonta State.
 
The Eagles improve to 15-3-3 on the year and move on to the second round to play regional host Oneonta on Sunday while Rochester's season comes to a close with a 9-5-4 record.
 
Eastern would score once in each half to reach the final margin of 2-0.  Early in the 25th minute, the Eagles' Kaleb O'Neil found the net after a corner kick scramble, sneaking his shot from the edge of the box just past UR keeper Patrick Conway into the low left corner of the net.
 
The second goal of the game came in the 73rd minute from Eastern's Cade Harmon when he capitalized on a loose ball turnover by the Rochester defense and then beat Conway on the right side after winning a 1-on-1 battle with the defender.
 
Rochester first solid scoring chance of the contest came at the 18 minute mark when Geoffrey Rouin gained possession close in on the left side and sent a cross into the box, looking for a cutting teammate.  Eastern goalie Quentin Keibler would intercept the cross though, breaking up the opportunity.
 
With just seconds remaining in the opening half, Zachary Kanaley unleashed a hard shot from the edge of the box, but his attempt sailed wide, sending Rochester to the locker room down by one.
 
Early in the second half, the Yellowjackets had their best chance broken up by a fantastic save by Keibler in the Eagle net.  After a long ball got sent into the box, a touch pass was sent to Rouin inside about 12 yards out who shot hard toward the right side, only to see Keibler make a quick dive to break up the play.
 
It was Rouin again with another chance, looking to equalize for Rochester in the 53rd minute, this time his long, looping shot from the left wing sailed just high, nicking the crossbar in the process.
 
After Eastern took the two goal lead with 18 minutes to play, the Yellowjackets ramped up the offensive pressure, but couldn't muster any quality scoring opportunities.  Senior's Ben Swanger and Jeff Greblick each were able to get shots off, but neither found their target and Rochester remained off the scoreboard.
 
In the goal, Conway finished with three saves for Rochester while Keibler had three of his own for Eastern.  Rouin led all players with six shots, three of which were on goal, while Mitch Volis and Greblick had two each.