McDaniel College

WESTMINSTER, Md. - Sophomore Nicholas Clarke scored three points to lead the McDaniel College men's soccer team in a 2-1 non-conference victory over local rival Stevenson on Tuesday at the Soccer Complex.

The Green Terror (7-3-1) improved their home record to 5-1-1 this season. They also remained unbeaten in two all-time meetings against the Mustangs on the Hill.

Clarke finished with one goal and one assist, including team-leading eighth goal of the season which proved to be the game-winner in the 60th minute. He has registered at least one point in six out of 11 games this season, netting at least one goal in all six.

The two teams, who have combined for a 13-6-3 record this season, were evenly matched as McDaniel held a slight edge in shots, 14-12. The home team also held a 5-3 margin in saves and a 9-4 advantage in corner kicks.

The Green Terror struck first, just 13 minutes into the contest when senior Eyuel Reta scored his second goal of the season off an assist from Clarke. It was the fifth career goal for Reta who scored for the second-straight after netting the game-tying goal against Swarthmore in the 87th minute on Saturday.

McDaniel led 1-0 at halftime as it outshot the visitors, 9-8 in the first 45 minutes and got four first-half saves from first-year Gavin Yartymyk.

Stevenson (6-3-2) tied the game less than four minutes into the second half when Blest Dumbuya scored his fourth goal of the season.

However, after a shot by first-year David O'Donnell hit the crossbar and Yartymyk made his fifth save of the day, Clarke found himself on a breakaway 1-on-1 with the keeper after a Mustang turnover in the midfield. After dribbling down inside the box, Clarke slotted the ball into the left corner to put the Green Terror back in front in the 60th minute.

The McDaniel defense did not surrender another shot on goal over the final 30 minutes while holding off three corner kick opportunities to snap its three-game losing streak.

The Green Terror travel to Muhlenberg on Saturday for a 7 p.m. contest with the Mules. The two teams battled to a scoreless draw in Westminster a year ago that featured 26 combined fouls, six yellow cards, and one red. The last meeting in Allentown came in the first round of the 2024 Centennial Conference Men's Soccer Championship in which the Mules edged out a 1-0 decision.