FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Men's Soccer team fell at home to No. 12 Charleston (WV) on Sunday afternoon by a close score of 2-1.
 
UC wasted no time pressing their way up the pitch, forcing graduate Joel Assal into a pair of early saves before Juan Hermoso blasted a ball from just outside the 18 into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead inside seven minutes.
 
FSU quickly responded, as both sophomores Kevin Garcia-Torres and Carlos Quintero Rivas had efforts on their left foot that both went wide of goal. Assal made two more saves in the next 10 minutes, then the game was bogged down into a defensive battle. The Golden Eagles only managed a couple tame efforts straight at Assal while holding the Bobcats without a shot the rest of the half, taking the teams in to the locker room.
 
Charleston had an early effort go wide to start the second half, then were able to double their lead after a fine cross by Caio Moraes found Eduardo Barros unmarked in the center of the box, heading past Assal for a 2-0 advantage. Frostburg was gifted an opportunity just over 10 minutes later, as Garcia-Torres was brought down in the box following a free kick, as the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
 
Having won the PK, Garcia-Torres stepped up to take and fired into the top right corner, but was forced to retake after a violation. On the second try, he sent Marc Torrado the wrong way, passing into the bottom right corner to bring FSU within 2-1. Both sides played to not concede for a few minutes, with Garcia-Torres shooting over the bar on a volley after another free kick.
 
The Golden Eagles ramped up their attack in a five minute span, forcing Assal into a pair of saves on four shots, as the Bobcat keeper was equal to each one to keep the deficit at a single goal. With just over 10 minutes to go, Assal made another couple saves as Frostburg launched attacks forward in search of an equalizer. Junior Laki Psallidas fired off an effort from distance that went high, then Garcia-Torres shot high and wide as UC was able to see out the rest of the game to secure the 2-1 victory.
 
Assal's 12 saves were his second-most in a game for his career, one shy of a 13-save effort against St. Mary's (Md.) in 2018.
 
With the loss, Frostburg drops to 5-5 on the year, while Charleston improves to 8-1. The Bobcats go on the road for their next match on Wednesday, October 4 to face Davis & Elkins at 7 p.m. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.